Bradford Council is inviting groups and individuals from across the Bradford district, to take ownership of one of five ‘floats’ that featured in Bradford Festival Parades during the 1990’s.

The large-float-like sculptures include Robbie the Robot, a Chinese Temple lion, a pair of tigers and a fish.

The largest structure is ‘Robbie The Robot’. It’s over 17 feet high and over 20ft long and featured in the 1995 Bradford Festival when the theme was ‘Centenary of Cinema’.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Robbie the Robot featured in the 1955 Bradford Festival. Image: Bradford Council Robbie the Robot featured in the 1955 Bradford Festival. Image: Bradford Council (Image: Bradford Council)

The Chinese Temple lion was a feature of the 1993 festival and the pair of tigers were first used at the 1991 festival, when they were mounted on the main gates to Lister Park. They then heralded the arrival of the festival for many years to come.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The Chinese Temple Lion was built in the summer of 1993, for the Bradford Festival Launch. Image: Bradford CouncilThe Chinese Temple Lion was built in the summer of 1993, for the Bradford Festival Launch. Image: Bradford Council (Image: Bradford Council)

The fish was first used as part of the festival parade in 1996.

The sculptures will be on display at this weekend’s Taste:BD food and drink festival in City Park and anyone interested should submit their bid for the sculptures by May 10.

Nicola Greenan, Strategic lead for City of Culture, Policy and Events from Bradford Council said: “These colourful and flamboyant sculptures formed a central part of Bradford Festival parades during the 1990s and by offering them out to communities from across the district we hope that they will be able to be reused and repurposed to continue their legacy.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: The Fish was beautifully sculpted by Ali Allen and Marisse Rose, in the summer of 1996. Image: Bradford CouncilThe Fish was beautifully sculpted by Ali Allen and Marisse Rose, in the summer of 1996. Image: Bradford Council (Image: Bradford Council)

“They will be on display at the Taste:BD festival this weekend, which is all set to be a fabulous celebration of food, drink, market stalls and entertainment.”

Dusty Rhodes, formerly of the Bradford Festival and Raise the Roof, said: “These floats provided such joy for people back in the 1990s and it’s great to see them being brought out of hiding by Eddie Kean and his team at Raven Staging, who are now giving them a make-over to freshen them up.

"It would be so appropriate to see them returned to local groups or individuals to take ownership for local communities to be able to see them once again.”