BRADFORD BID has teamed up with a creative arts organisation to carve out some seasonal fun with the city’s first Pumpkin Trail, which starts today and runs to Saturday.

Nikki Chadburn, Bradford BID business engagement officer, said: "The pumpkins are really spectacular and expertly carved. They're scattered around the city centre; outside, in shopping centres and hanging baskets to provide plenty of space for people to social distance while looking at the displays."

Ian Ward, general manager at The Broadway, Bradford, said: “We’d like to thank the Bradford BID for this year’s pumpkin trail around the city of Bradford.

"It’s a fun and safe way for families to celebrate Halloween and we look forward to welcoming those taking part to our shopping centre.

“Many of the pumpkin scenes are Bradford themed and showcase Bradford’s diverse and fascinating history."

"The pumpkins have been very well received," said Jamie Wardley, who is one of the pumpkin carvers from Sand in Your Eye arts group. "People really need something positive at the moment and these pumpkins are putting smiles on their faces.

"There are so many restrictions on what we can do, for good reason, so we have to find things to do safely like this pumpkin trail.

"It just a bit of light fun but half of the pumpkins on the trail are inspired by the cultural history of Bradford.

"The Bradford Boar, which is carved using five pumpkins, is based on the wild boar that terrorised Bradford in the 14th century."

In addition to hsitorical pumpkins depicting the Bronte sisters, Bollywood dancers, a sheep and a shepherd to signify the wool trade, there are fun pumpkins such as a bank robber outside Santander and a hanging basket Singing in the Rain pumpkin.

One of the most poignant displays, however, are the free school meals pumpkins outside Debenham's in The Broadway.

Mr Ward said: "The pumpkin display at The Broadway is a great example of the city’s history that people might not be aware of; namely that the first free school meals were provided to the children of Bradford.

"Labour councillor Fred Jowett set about ensuring all children of Bradford were provided with one free school meal a day in 1904 after his deep concern about their welfare.

"This in turn led to a nationwide bill to be passed in 1906 ‘Provision of Meals Act’ so that all children were given free school meals.

"We are proud to be the first local authority to provide such provision to children.”