Keighley could be in line for a multi-million pound boost if a bid for European aid is successful.

Two areas of Keighley are part of a plan to attract hundreds of millions of pounds to the Bradford district to help fight depravation and industrial decline.

Nine existing wards - all in Bradford - already receive Objective 2 funding but councillors have now want to add a further four to the list - Keighley South and Keighley West, plus Eccleshill and Heaton - as part of a seven year plan.

At the launch of West Yorkshire's bid for European cash held in Leeds today, Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "Over the last ten years Bradford has benefited from around £100 million of European Funding and we have a successful track record in managing and delivering EU programmes with local partners."

Coun Greenwood said: "In Bradford the continuation of our Objective 2 Status is central to supporting jobs and investment. I firmly believe we have a strong case based on local need and unemployment levels."

He said the Objective 2 cash would attract match funding which would take the total amount up to around £300m.

The Council is relying on support from businesses to attract the investment and jobs which the city needs and its bid is based on continued "multiple deprivation" and overall decline in manufacturing jobs and competitiveness.

Bradford has joined together with Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield to draw up a joint bid for the European cash under the umbrella of the Association of West Yorkshire Authorities.

Chairman Councillor Brian Walker said at the launch of the bid today that there were 600,000 living in severe deprivation within the five councils. He said: "This united approach is particularly important since we will not get another chance to win Objective 2 funding for seven years."

The bids will be incorporated in the regional bid by Yorkshire Forward - the area's regional development agency - and will be considered in London by Ministers who will then send it to Europe as part of Britain's bid.

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