Two national figure-heads used to leading large organisations will spearhead anniversary celebrations for Bradford College.

Sir Digby Jones, Government skills envoy and former director-general of the CBI, and Sir Clive Woodward, elite performance director of the British Olympic Association, will visit the city later this month as part of the college's 175th anniversary celebrations.

They will attend a host of events on Saturday, June 23, which will also mark the 125th birthday of the institution's Old Building - previously known as the Technical School.

On the same day 125 years before, the then Prince and Princess of Wales - later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra - travelled to the city to open the Bradford Technical School.

College principal Michele Sutton and Kevin McGuiness, chairman of Bradford College Corporation, will host a series of celebration events.

They will include the laying of the foundation stone for the institution's new £18 million construction, engineering and sports complex on Easby Road, a recital by stars from Opera North and a celebratory feast.

The Old Building will also be re-named after Sir Henry Mitchell who hosted the original celebrations 125 years ago and was later knighted for his services to education in Bradford.

Mike Harwood, a Bradford College executive director, who is co-ordinating the anniversary celebrations, said: "The building is spectacular - its jewel, the public hall, has been restored to its former glory as part of our contribution to the regeneration of this great city and its heritage.

"Built upon a foundation of strength and innovation laid down by a visionary group of brave and far-sighted businessmen and women, Bradford College is proud to be laying down the new foundations for our exciting and prosperous future.

"There is huge enthusiasm for this event, not surprising given the fascinating history and role this institution has played in Bradford's development.

"It will be a real privilege to stand on exactly the same spot as the then Prince and Princess of Wales and Sir Henry Mitchell, precisely 125 years on from the original opening."

This year, a total of 24,000 students are enrolled at the College, which employs 1,200 staff.

As part of its birthday celebrations on June 23, it will also welcome more than 20 direct descendants of some of Bradford's famous sons.

The great, great grandsons of Sir Titus Salt - Messrs Dan and Nick Salt - will travel with family members from their homes in Wales.

The Prince and Princess of Wales stayed with Sir Titus during their visit to Bradford in 1882.

Neil Forster, representing the Forster family and Mark Cunliffe-Lister, a member of the Lister family, will also join the party.

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