Hundreds of families will get the chance of a lifetime - drawing up multi-million pound shopping lists to give themselves better lives.

They have been urged by a top official from the European Commission to take their destinies in their hands and be fully involved as the vital decisions are made.

Manfred Beschel, director general of regional policy for Britain and Ireland, arrived in Bradford to announce a £41 million funding boost for 14 deprived wards in the district.

The schemes to be drawn up with the help of residents are expected to create 5,300 jobs over the next six years.

Unlike from other funding - which could go towards housing or schools - the EC pot is based solely on the economy, aiming mainly at jobs.

Mr Beschel said: "Community participation is crucial and if you can't motivate people to take their destinies in their own hands and put forward neighbourhood projects, it won't work.

"I hope the people of Bradford take this opportunity and get it right. It is a long programme of funding which allows Bradford to take a decisive leap forward.

The massive cash injection could end years of misery on the dole for areas like Odsal estate, where unemployment stands at about 12 per cent - twice the district average.

Entrepreneurs will be encouraged and community businesses like child minding, joinery or gardening could develop.

Bradford's expected share is part of a regional allocation to Yorkshire and the Humber.

The council wards of Shipley East, Bowling, Bradford Moor, Craven, Eccleshill, Heaton, Keighley South and West, Little Horton, Odsal Tong, Toller, Undercliffe and University will reap the benefits over the next six years.

The wards were submitted as special cases for funding in a regional submission co-ordinated by Government officers.

They were chosen when figures including joblessness, income and car ownership were compared with the national census.

The council's external funds manager Dave Moss said £13.6 million would be allocated over the next three years to ten new community boards which would include residents, organisations and councillors.

The "grass roots" projects and the boards which agree them will be overseen by the council.

Millions of pounds will also go to companies which are just setting up as well as new investors bringing work to the district.

Malcolm Walters, development worker and manager of Odsal Community Centre welcomed the plan to bring training for jobs

He said: "A large proportion of the people who haven't got jobs on the Odsal estate are long term unemployed and after so long may not have the confidence to enrol at somewhere like a college.

"It's going to mean a lot to this area."

The scheme was also welcomed by Sandy Needham, director of Bradford Chamber of Commerce said: "This funding isn't made available unless there is very real need. This is good news for Bradford."

The Objective Two funding policy - aimed at balancing the economy of the European community - involves contributions from member states to needy areas.

Supporting funding must be given by local authorities and other organisations.

Bradford says the extra finance it expects to put in will bring the package for its most needy areas up to £100,000.

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