Unemployed Mohammed Khalil was settling down to his new job just four hours after seeing an outreach team in his desperate hunt for work.

Disabled Mr Khalil described today how company after company had rejected him since he obtained his work permit in December.

Mr Khalil, 24, who came to England from Pakistan to be fitted with an artificial leg, said: "I looked everywhere and must have applied to about 20 companies. Quite a lot didn't even bother to reply.

"Even though I had had a very good job as an executive in Pakistan, I felt worthless."

Now workers at the Work-Able for Young People two-year outreach project to help disabled people says he must have beaten job hunting records.

Mr Khalil, of Salt Street, Manningham, who was born with one leg shorter than the other, is now working as a cashier at the Mumtaz restaurant in Great Horton Road.

Ramila Patel, a worker with the project, said: "If anyone deserved it, it was him. He came to see me at 9am and got the job immediately. This is a record for us and it gives a lot of hope for other people with disabilities."

Mumtaz managing director Dr Akbar Gul-Nawaz said: "I think it is an excellent scheme. I like people to be employed irrespective of whether they are disabled or not."

A delighted Mr Khaliq said: "I went along to see the Work-Able scheme and by the time I'd got home they were ringing me to say I'd got an interview at the Mumtaz restaurant. Once the access arrangements had been confirmed, I was able to start work straight away."

The two-year scheme was launched in October last year, supported with funding from the Manningham and Girlington SRB and Bradford Council.

Councillor Imran Khan, chairman of Manningham and Girlington SRB board, said: "Mohammed's success proves that disability needn't be a barrier to employment and I would urge other disabled job seekers in Manningham and Girlington and local employers to contact the team."

People who want to know more about the project can ring Ramila or Jasvinder Gill on 01274 754537 or 752170.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.