A nationwide scheme using business expertise to tap into the money of ethnic minorities is to start in Bradford.

Backers of Employers Race(ing) Ahead (ERA) claim it is unique in the country because it is using a business-led approach to maximise the resources of ethnic minorities, rather than just dishing out money to projects.

The scheme is the brainchild of Pravin Patel, the Bradford-based Abbey National manager in charge of the project.

ERA has two stated aims. The first is to raise awareness of business services to maximise profit possibilities from ethnic minorities, and the second is to identify the most effective ways of recruiting and training staff from the communities.

He said: "Asian communities in this country have £15 billion in disposable income, at the last census made up six per cent of the population and make up a relatively high proportion of university graduates.

"This project is unique because it is taking a business approach to the situation."

The scheme is not officially launched until October and its founding board is made up of managers from Abbey National, Cox Insurance, the Inland Revenue, Stiell Facilities Ltd, Bradford Council, the Employment Service, West Yorkshire Police and Capita Eastgate.

Danny Wilkes, principal personnel officer for West Yorkshire Police, said: "The group is drawn from both the public and private sectors and is still at a very early stage."

A spokesman for Bradford Council said: "We are keen to see such a positive initiative to encourage organisations from across the district to employ people from all communities."