More than 60 managers from firms in the Bradford district have been given a chance to gain a place on a pioneering business course.

And 12 of the people attending one of three Business Masters Assessment Centres, one of which takes place today, have got there thanks to the Telegraph & Argus.

The T&A is offering two free places on the course, normally worth £11,000, in partnership with Bradford Breakthrough and Keighley Business Forum.

Programme organiser Denise Stones said the number of managers hoping for a free place on the year-long Business Masters programme, which will have a total of 30 delegates on it, is split equally between Bradford and Keighley.

The Bradford managers are from Kall Kwik, Saltwater Promotions, Baildon Electronics, Sue Overton Nurseries in Thornton, Digitalife and First Choice Stationery. The Keighley managers are from Wilson TS, Yorkshire Care Equipment, which has submitted two managers' names, Sue Overton Nurseries in Silsden and Keighley Glazing.

The assessments are taking place today, tomorrow and April 2 at the University of Bradford's Management Centre. The programme - which is mid-way between a business degree and a management course - is a joint venture between Bradford & District Training & Enterprise Council, Business Link Bradford & District the management centre and fds - a management consultancy.

The assessment centres are being headed by Charles Wilson, manager of executive development programmes at the management centre.

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