VIDEO: Bradford Festival proves a hit with the crowds

On Saturday, a rainy morning turned into a dry afternoon just in time for day two of the city-centre festival, and City Park's Mirror Pool was soon packed with festival-goers enjoying a splash around.

Bands entertained the crowds on the Centenary Square stage, while the Topic Folk Club took over Norfolk Gardens, with three acoustic acts entertaining the crowds.

The line-up included singer-songwriter Bella Gaffney who performed a song inspired by Bradford city centre, referencing curries, the Mirror Pool and Centenary Square.

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Irregular Arts brought its Wizard of Oz-themed Ruby Slipper Slide to City Park, with children invited to go down the slide while watching out for the Wicked Witch of the West.

The Bradford Playhouse's Alien Invasion saw visitors from another planet crash-land in City Park's Mirror Pool. Children were told that as the evil aliens were afraid of water, they could grab a sponge and give them a drenching to send them on their way.

Different choirs performed, separately and en-masse, in Bradford Festival Choral Society's event, One City, Many Voices.

Twelve choirs were joined by the audience in City Park as they sang anthems such as You’ll Never Walk Alone and The Rhythm of Life.

Participating choirs included Biasan, a group of refugees and volunteers, community choir Bradford Voices and Pennine Chimes, a women's barbershop group.

Carmen Bland, of Poplars Farm, Bradford, was at the festival with her children, Dawson, 5, and Serissa, 3, and her mother Sandra Hirst, of Swain House.

She said her children had been getting drenched in the Mirror Pool, throwing sponges at people dressed as aliens.

She said: "They right enjoyed that, and eating candy floss, and they've been on the Ruby Slipper Slide over there.

"It's great when they do stuff like this in Bradford. It has got a bit of a bad rap, which I don't think it deserves, and I think this kind of thing helps."

Dawson said his favourite part of the day was "throwing sponges at the aliens".

Apoorva Bansal, wife Ankita and one-year-old son Ahaan, of Little Germany, Bradford, were also enjoying the atmosphere around the mirror pool.

Mr Bansal said they had only just arrived, but were already enjoying the "dancing and music".

Sunday was Bradford Mela day, the city's annual celebration of multi-cultural music and entertainment.

Dedicated party-goers braved the drizzle to enjoy a host of entertainment.

Highlights included The Wheel House, a theatrical acrobatic show from Acrojou Circus Theatre, which unfolded inside and around a rolling circular set.