The city of Bradford has opened an embassy in London as part of its campaign to be named Capital of Culture 2008.

The idea behind the embassy is to give the city a voice in the capital and to raise awareness of Bradford's cultural achievements.

It will also teach southerners where Bradford is after a survey showed 16% of 1000 people surveyed could not locate the Yorkshire city on a map.

Film chief Lord Puttnam is to be ambassador and television presenter Richard Whiteley cultural attache.

The Countdown host wants Bradford put on the map

The host of Countdown said the embassy would showcase Bradford's products, arts and alumni but would only "scratch the surface" of what the city had to offer in its bid to become Capital of Culture in 2008.

"Bradford does have a message and in this day and age we have to bring it to where the chattering classes chatter - and that's London," he said.

"There's a great heritage in Bradford.

"It has had some problems but what industrial city has not?

"There's a sense of optimism there now and if we get this it would put Bradford on the map."

The building the embassy will be housed in is next to the diplomatic missions of South Africa, Canada and Uganda.

Organisers say part of the embassy's job will be to help northerners feeling "lost" in London - or satisfy the need for those needing to hear a Yorkshire voice.

The embassy, which will only be open for two days, is at The Trafalgar, 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square.