Job prospects for unemployed people in Manningham and Girlington were given a shot in the arm when business people and community groups met for a special open day.

Organised by Action for Business (Bradford) Limited, the event was held at the Carlisle Business Centre in Carlisle Road, Manningham.

ABL is a community based regeneration organisation, set up with the help from the Government's Inner Cities Task Force.

Along with more than hundred other trusts throughout the country, its aim is to tackle the regeneration of the local community in an innovative way using a range of economical, environmental, cultural, and social initiatives.

The open day formed part of the first ever National Development Trusts Open Day and involved voluntary groups exhibiting their products and services.

Employers such as the police and Bradford and Ilkley Community College contributed their own stalls and over twenty organisations were involved. It was also part of the ABL's community programme aimed at establishing how the services and facilities available at the Carlisle Business Centre were helping the area's unemployed population.

It's chief executive Gurdev S Dahele MBE said: "Through the wholehearted involvement of business people and dedicated members of the community, ABL has become the driving force in the regeneration of the local communities.

"ABL is delighted that central government, local authorities and other partners in the public and private sectors are increasingly recognising and supporting the role of community-based regeneration organisations."

Ridings Media Limited, which started as the official television station for the Bradford Festival and is now running full time, was one exhibitor at the open day yesterday.

It's spokesman said: "It's gone very well and we've had lots of interest. It's especially good because different groups can help each other out.

"We've also had people come in from outside and we've made a contact with a representative from Brass Magazine in Huddersfield, which covers the media and arts.

"It's been a really useful day."

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