BRADFORD is eyeing up yet another world record, this time as a way of wishing happy birthday to one of its most famous sons.

David Hockney turns 80 on Sunday, and to mark the occasion Bradford based Hallmark Cards has created a giant card for the artist - and the goal is now to get 22,000 people to sign it.

The first signature was written in the six foot tall card by Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Abid Hussain on Sunday, and over the coming weeks Bradford Council's Future Leaders team will be collecting names and messages from as many people as possible.

To achieve the world record for "number of contributions to a greetings card" at least five per cent of the 22,000 signatures will need to be handwritten. People will also be able to "sign" the card online.

The card, which includes images of Hockney's work forming a huge 80, is currently at Cartwright Hall but will be touring the district round major events going on over the coming weeks. The team hope that as many regular Bradfordians, as well as some more famous names, jot down their birthday messages to the artist.

Cllr Hussain officially cut the ribbon on the card at an event at Cartwright Hall on Sunday, and the card will be presented to Hockney later in the summer.

Hockney's birthday weekend will see the opening of a gallery dedicated to the artist at the Lister Park hall. The permanent gallery will feature paintings, sketchbooks and family photos of the artist.

The gallery will house a significant collection of works created between 1953-57 by the young Hockney when he studied at the Bradford School of Art. Pages from his personal family photo albums will be presented, offering a rare glimpse into his life, including family snaps at home in Bradford.

And on Sunday local arts group The Brick Box has organised a birthday party for the artist, which will feature music, dance and art activities, as well as offering people the chance to sign the card.

If successful, the mass card signing will be Bradford's third world record in 12 months.

In September the #LoveBradford in City Park effort saw over 2,300 people form the world’s longest chain of people making heart-shaped hand gestures.

And earlier this month 992 children from schools across the district gathered in City Park, breaking the record for the most people involved in a "bamboo tamboo" session.

To make an online signature on the card visit tinyurl.com/y85zwlgr