A group of folk musicians have dedicated a new CD celebrating Bradford's colourful history to the memory of one of their friends who died of a cancerous brain tumour.

Bradford Fowk is a compilation of 13 songs, including one called The Hills which was written to commemorate the life of Ernie Sube who was 40 when he died.

Songwriter and guitarist David Webster, who is head of technology at The Girls' Grammar School, Bradford, said the song was penned in memory of many country walks with his lifelong friend.

"Ernie used to drive us around Yorkshire when we played at different venues. He was a good friend and supporter of our music," he said.

"We walked all over together, including up to Castle Hill in Huddersfield, the Cow and Calf rocks in Ilkley and around the Isle of Skye."

Singer Julie Partis, a retired teacher, also helped to write and research the songs which are a combination of fact and legend.

And many have been inspired by articles from the Telegraph & Argus and its predecessor, the Bradford Daily Telegraph.

"It was wonderful to find out so much about Bradford," said Julie.

"I remember seeing Ivegate Kate, who is featured in the Bradford Characters song, when I was a little girl. She was an alcoholic and she was very noisy and scary but very attractive with red hair."

The songs feature many of the district's landmarks including Listers Mill in Manningham, the River Aire, Eldwick Hall, Bolling Hall in West Bowling and Bingley Moor.

The music is performed by a group of 11 musicians from across the district. And the first track covers the story of the Bradford Boar, which is featured on the CD cover, which killed and maimed numerous people and children in Bradford in 1342.

"We spent a long time gathering the information at the local history department in Bradford library and we have had a lot of fun putting it all together," said David.

He said they also used old poems and ballads which were used as lyrics for the songs. The CD costs £5 and is on sale at the Cancer Research UK shop, in Ivegate, Bradford, and money raised will go towards the charity.

The CD can also be bought from David on (01484) 531287.

It was sponsored by the Bradford & Bingley bank, The Girls' Grammar School, Bradford, the Emmandjay Trust, Bradford Cylinders, the Rivendell Trust and the Freemasonry in the Community Initiative.