Bradford's all-out bid to become the European City of Culture will get a major fillip this weekend.

A group of Britain's top tourism operators will be on a fact-finding mission after choosing the city as the venue for its annual general meeting.

Bradford Council won a competitive bid to host the Millennium Group Travel Organisers' Association event from Friday to Sunday. It comes as the Council and its partners wait for Government guidelines before submitting their bid for the coveted culture crown.

The city would be the focus of world-wide attention with the prospects of huge investment and thousands of jobs if it took the title, scheduled for the year 2008.

The visitors this weekend will have a chance to learn more about the area's heritage and culture, countryside and attractions. The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Harry Mason, will host a civic reception for the guests on their first night, before a welcoming banquet and evening of Irish entertainment at the Midland Hotel.

A gala dinner at the Stakis Hotel on Saturday will have a Yorkshire theme, including music from the Yorkshire Building Society concert brass band. Ann Cryer, Labour MP for Keighley and Ilkley will be guest of honour.

The programme for the guests will include visits to the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, the Colour Museum, Cartwright Hall art gallery, Bronte country and Saltaire and Salts Mill with its unique collection of David Hockney's work.

There will be a back stage tour of the Alhambra and a visit to the Bombay Stores.

Conference manager Dale Fickes said: "Our millennium conference promises to be the best organised and eventful, thanks to the help of Bradford."

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