The team behind a new centre to cultivate cultural understanding say they are a step closer to realising their dream.

The Q21 Association, set up after the Manningham riots of 1995, wants to turn a disused Victorian school teacher's house in Listerhills Road, Bradford, into a Centre for Dialogue and Action.

The multi-faith group have raised £14,000 by themselves. They have also applied to four other organisations to fund the £300,000 centre. These are the National Lotteries Charities Board, Heritage Lottery Fund, English Partnerships and Bradford Environmental Action Trust (BEAT), which helps distribute landfill tax money.

Last week David Fitch, secretary to the trustees of Q21, spoke to representatives of BEAT who told him the centre might be eligible for £14,000.

"That's a very helpful sign that the other funding will follow in due course," Mr Fitch said.

Q21 has developed from the work of the Bradford Council's Interfaith Education Centre next door in the former school. But instead of teaching children about other faiths and cultures, Q21 would educate adults.

Mr Fitch said: "A lot of adults have never had the chance to learn about other cultures. We often hear from people such as social workers and the police who know very little about the cultural backgrounds of people they are working with.

"Q21 would foster interfaith dialogue and joint action on social justice, peace and the environment. It would offer support for individuals, couples or groups who wish to overcome specific intercultural misunderstandings or tensions."

The association holds its annual meeting on December 14. Members will be asked to approve setting up a charitable company in place of the present association which is also thought to improve its chances of attracting funding.

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