Bradford's representative on the new Regional Development Agency has denied that the district is under-represented on the board.

Adeeba Malik, 31, general manager of Bradford Quest for Economic Development, said it did not matter that the district was represented by one person when a smaller area - York - had two representatives.

She said she had been chosen for her skills and abilities to represent the Yorkshire and Humberside region and not just Bradford.

"What affects certain cities will affect others. We are all in this together," she said.

Miss Malik, 31, added: "I was delighted and honoured to be appointed when I did not think I stood a chance of getting on the board.

"People are already asking me to stand up for Bradford but I am here to represent the region. As the region benefits - so will Bradford."

The RDA chairman Graham Hall backed Miss Malik. He said: "We have a lot of talented people around the board table who have a lot to contribute and it is irrelevant where they come from."

They were speaking as the RDA board met for the first time at the headquarters of the Yorkshire and Humberside Development Agency in Leeds.

One of the main agenda items was where the RDA would have its headquarters. A decision was due to be announced today.

The Agency comes into effect properly from next April when it will be allocated a budget of £165 million to spend in the region.

David Wilkinson, chief executive of Bradford and District Training and Enterprise Council, said: "The RDAs were created to operate right across the region. Their task is to ensure the needs of the various parts of the region are taken into account in their deliberations so that the flow of funds and the considerable support that the RDA can provide is appropriately distributed."

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