A project designed to stamp out racial harassment will be extended throughout Bradford thanks to £319,000 of National Lottery cash.

Bradford Racial Equality Council will use the grant to create more community reporting centres where people can go for support against racism.

And the money will pay for a team of five workers to tackle racial harassment on estates throughout the city.

The project will be extended for another three years because of the £319,598 award from the National Lottery Charities Board.

The two-year pilot project was first started by the Racial Equality Council as part of the Bradford Alliance Against Racial Harassment.

The groups secured European funds to set up two community reporting centres on the Canterbury estate and in West Bowling where residents could report racist incidents and seek help.

"We're absolutely delighted at being awarded the grant and it will mean we can extend this pioneering project throughout the Bradford district," said Ishtiaq Ahmed of Bradford Racial Equality Council.

"It provides victims of racial harassment with support and we will also be looking at community education to stop it happening in the first place.

"The REC has dealt with more than 200 incidents of racial harassment so far this year.

"Some of them have come from the support centres and others have come directly to us but there is an obvious need.

"We can respond quickly and give people the help they need in conjunction with other agencies such as the police, the council and voluntary organisations.

"This scheme is something Bradford can be proud of and its main aim is to stamp out racial harassment throughout the city."

The cash will help pay for a project manager, a community development worker, two part time victim support counsellors and administrative staff.

A group working to bring improvements and resources to Bradford Moor has also won a £49,000 grant from the National Lottery Charities Board.

The Bradford Moor Consortium is working alongside other agencies to develop a regeneration strategy for the area.

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