More than 5,000 new jobs are expected to be created over the next six years as Bradford today received a huge European cash injection.

The jobs will be created over the next six years as £41 million of European regeneration money is injected into 14 deprived council wards across the district.

The wards - Shipley East, Bowling, Bradford Moor, Craven, Eccleshill, Heaton, Keighley South, Keighley West, Little Horton, Odsal, Tong, Toller, Undercliffe and University - have met the European definition of needy areas which can be regenerated by jobs, training and community projects known as Objective Two status.

The Council will now work with communities drawing up schemes to give them better lives.

And it is confident it can provide the matched funding needed as a condition of the allocation and says the package will bring benefits to the tune of £100 million.

Funding will be aimed at existing companies which could provide new jobs, to create new entrepreneurs and provide community projects which could also employ people.

The Council's external funds manager Dave Moss said: "The driving force is jobs and we will work with the community."

Malcolm Walters development worker and manager of Odsal Community Centre said unemployment on Odsal estate was running at about 12 per cent - twice the district's average - and many people had been out of work for long periods.

"It is absolutely terrific," he said.

Today's announcement of European Commission Objective Two funding follows a tough battle to keep the district's status when the funding mechanisms were changed.

The district's intensive lobbying paid off because five extra wards have now been included.

Today a top European Commission official Manfred Beschel was in Little Germany to announce the boost.

Bradford's expected share is part of a regional allocation of £327 million for Yorkshire and the Humber.

Regional government officials, Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Stanley King and Council leader Coun Margaret Eaton were also attending the funding announcement at the Design Exchange.

They visited some of Bradford's Euro-funded success stories, including the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, and Carlisle business centre.

Coun Eaton said: "Projects to encourage growing hi-tech businesses and help people into work will be among the key priorities for the new programme.

"European funding has played a major part in Bradford's regeneration for many years and continued Objective Two status will enable us to continue the successful partnerships we have in place to channel investment into key areas and sectors."

Coun Simon Cooke, executive member for the economy said: "The final go ahead for the programme marks a new phase in the regeneration of the district and I am particularly pleased to see that Keighley will benefit from funding for the first time."

Bradford North Labour MP Terry Rooney said: "I am delighted that the efforts of the Government and local authority to secure the funding have proved so successful in the previous years."