BRADFORD city centre is bursting into colourful bloom again just in time for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

A total of 162 new hanging baskets have been installed across the city centre, featuring a significant dash of purple flowers in recognition of the official Jubilee colours.

The baskets have been installed by Bradford Business Improvement District (BID), the limited not-for-profit company funded by more than 600 levy-paying businesses and organisations to help promote and develop the city centre.

BID project officer Leanne Holmes said: “This is the fourth year that the BID has paid for and installed these hanging baskets across the city centre.

“They really bring a splash of colour to the city centre and they make a huge difference to the feel and atmosphere.

"They also fit perfectly with our wonderful historic street scene, blending beautifully with the grand Victorian architecture especially, and they have proved immensely popular with residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

“The Queen has visited Bradford on numerous occasions and her visits have always been well received.

“So we thought it would be nice to do a little something to acknowledge the Jubilee by ensuring there was a strong dash of purple in this year’s baskets – and ACW has done us proud.”

It is the third year that ACW, based in Canal Road, has supplied and installed the hanging baskets which are grown and prepared by the team at ACW’s Woodbank Nurseries, in Harden Road, Harden.

Bradford BID manager Jonny Noble said: “The BID is all about local companies working together to make the city centre look blooming brilliant and we’re really thrilled that we’re able to turn to a local business like ACW, who do such a fabulous job.

“Last year we also bought our special bright yellow water bowser and we’ve again asked another local business, JD Cleaning Services, to use it to keep the baskets healthy and well-watered – on top of some of the excellent work they do clearing up graffiti and restoring street furniture on our behalf.

“It’s really important that we present ourselves to the world as the welcoming, colourful and vibrant city we want to be, not just for local business but for all those local people they employ who rely so much on the success of the city centre for their livelihoods.

“And there’s nothing like a display of colourful flowers to put a spring in everyone’s step.”