Improvements to Bradford's only country park, which have attracted increased numbers of visitors to the beauty spot, have been applauded.

Developments in St Ives park in Harden include a new footpath through farmland and a medieval day in August which attracted 3,000 visitors and was hailed a huge success by organisers.

More than 100 trees have also been planted, forming a memorial woodland on the estate in conjunction with the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can...Appeal. Another 96 trees are being planted in January.

Members of the Shipley Area Committee welcomed the initiatives at their latest meeting and stressed that the St Ives development plan, set out in 1998, should be continued.

Barrie Tinker, Bradford Council's principal parks and landscapes manager, highlighted other proposals which include improving car parking on the estate and extending a bridleway to link up with other routes giving access to the Pennine Bridleway.

Mr Tinker said a tea room was planned to be opened next spring and the facility will also be used as an information point for visitors.

"We are hoping to produce some leaflets about the wildlife on the estate that visitors can pick up," he said, adding that information about deer on the estate would also be available.

And a wildlife board outside the tea room, giving further guidance on the types of birds and animals, will also be considered. Other proposals include planting upland wildflower grass meadows and building a disabled riding school, which is planned to open next year subject to planning approval. Work on an indoor riding school is also planned for next year.

Mr Tinker said more than 300 members of the public filled in a questionnaire about St Ives in the summer and the statistics have been used to outline ideas for future attractions.

Committee members praised the medieval fair held in August. The event, featuring minstrels, jousting, falconry displays and a barbecue by Bingley and Airedale Rotary Club, raised £1,000 for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Committee chairman, Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley), said: "I was heading back from Skipton on the day of the fair and the traffic was heaving. People were queuing from the estate to Bingley town centre, it was that popular."

To plant a tree in the memorial woodland contact the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can...Appeal office on (01274) 235482.