There will be a traditional taste of Christmas past in the run-up to the festive season across the district.

In Bradford city centre shoppers will be able to step back in time to a Victorian Christmas with a special fair in Centenary Square where they can ride on a carousel, a big wheel and other funfair rides and have a go at traditional games like hook-a-duck and a coconut shy.

And when the shopping results in hunger pangs, there will be plenty of food stalls on hand to provide tasty dishes from a bygone era.

Today in Otley shoppers were also enjoying all the fun of the fair at a Victorian Fair, with everything from fairground rides and steam engines to a hog roast, roast chestnuts and street performers.

Throughout the day primary school carol singers were entertaining shoppers and passers-by.

The Bradford Victorian fair gets under way on Thursday and goes right through to Sunday afternoon.

Shoppers can get tokens for the rides from the nearby Tourist Information Centre.

The fair will run from 1pm until 9pm on the Thursday, from 10am until 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 11am until 2pm on the Sunday.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for environment and culture, said: "This fair will really bring Centenary Square alive and give a traditional Christmas feel to the city centre. It is something that people of all ages can enjoy and I hope people will come down and soak up the atmosphere."

In the build-up to Christmas, entertainers will be taking to the streets of Bradford every Saturday until the big day.

Shoppers will be able to catch the entertainment in Darley Street, Bank Street and Kirkgate between 11am and 2.30pm.

This weekend there will be Dippy the Clown, Man in a Present, Minty the Polar Bear and Dobcross Youth band.

Punch and Crocodile, Dizzy and Dotty, the Pennine Brass Band, Stilt-Walking Jack Frosts and Bradford Youth Players Carol Singers will be in the centre on Saturday, December 15.

And on the final Saturday before Christmas, December 22, Christmas Crackers, Lord of the Bins, Pennine Brass Band, Rudolf the Reindeer and Tap Dancing Turkeys will be in Bradford.

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, the Council's executive member for regeneration, said: "Christmas is always a very special time in Bradford and having these entertainers in the city centre makes the atmosphere even more festive."

e-mail: jo.winrow @bradford.newsquest.co.uk