Bradford textile bosses are being urged to join a task force which will give their firms a boost.

Textile companies - hit by the strong pound abroad and high interest rates -are being invited to join a regional Textile Task Force which will be held in the city.

The idea is to get textile bosses together to find out more about European funding, discover what help is available on green issues and discuss ways of making the most of their mills.

The project is the brainchild of David Scougill, chief executive of the Urban Regeneration Partnership which is bring about a total regeneration of the Little Germany area of Bradford.

The multi-million pound total regeneration scheme includes renovating former textile mills and offices, encouraging the growth of places to eat and drink in and pushing for more people to live in the area.

Mr Scougill has many years of experience in various regeneration schemes and is a member of the British Urban Regeneration Association.

He said: "We are working with a number of partners to set up the task force and we want to bring people together from Bradford, the rest of West Yorkshire and the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

"Textile bosses have to spend a lot of time running their core business. We want to offer an assistance package to help them."

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