Young job-hunters in Bradford's Manningham area are to be given a helping hand with an £850,000 scheme, to be officially launched next week.

Money from the Single Regeneration Budget and the European Regional Develop-ment Fund has contributed to the venture which has already helped more than 70 young people and is set to help hundreds more in their hunt for jobs.

Project manager, Kirsty McKay, said jobs@manningham - based at the Carlisle Business Centre - was much-needed in the area.

"We have six people on hand to give advice and guidance. There is Internet access and lots of other help we can give, such as writing a CV, help with filling in applications and practising interview skills.

"Despite not advertising at all, we have had so many people coming in for help and we now have employers coming to us as well for help in filling vacancies."

Ms McKay said they had already helped the nearby newly-opened Marlboro cinema find staff.

"We had two weeks to come up with 14 staff - but we did it!

"We didn't initially court local businesses because we didn't feel ready to deal with them but they have come to us.

"We are currently helping the Inland Revenue recruit more applicants from the ethnic minorities and we are helping Urban Splash, the Manchester-based company, which is set to renovate Manningham Mills, look for local people with construction experience."

The project can also help people gain valuable work experience and liaise with employers to see whether they are suited to those jobs.

"We can help every step of the way," said Ms McKay who added that more people would benefit when a larger office opened at the Girlington Centre later this year.

One person who is hoping to land her dream job is 18-year-old Shehreen Rehman. The former Belle Vue Girls' School pupil left school at 16 after taking GCSEs.

"I didn't really know what I wanted to do and the school careers service and the one in town had limited resources. But since coming here I have become more focused and am now looking for a job in the NHS."

Shehreen's advisor helped to compile a slick CV and also helped her fill in application forms. And she will be helped with interview skills.

"I feel a lot more confident and positive about the future now," said Shehreen.

The launch takes place next Friday from 10.30am. For details call (01274) 752399.