Bradford's historic Alhambra theatre is undergoing a £250,000 revamp.

Scaffolding is going up on the Edwardian concert hall and the exterior revamp is due to be finished by the world premiere of Northern Ballet Theatre's production of Wuthering Heights on Saturday, September 21.

Funded by Bradford Council, the facelift will include replacing the lighting with 2,500 low voltage bulbs - similar to the famous lights at London store Harrods.

And some 800 gallons of paint will help restore the landmark to its former glory.

The Council's Executive member for the environment and culture Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (Con, Ilkley) said the revamp would help the city's bid for the 2008 Capital of Culture bid.

"We're really pleased and it's good news to see such a large investment into something that's definitely worthwhile," she said.

Robert Leach, proprietor of Thornton-based shopfitters and builders Whitaker and Leach, said he was delighted to be working on such a prominent theatre.

"It's a prestigious contract and we're looking forward to playing our part in improving the building's appearance," he said.

"We will be fitting special lights which won't be destroyed by the rain - they will even work under water!"

The new bulbs will also be cheaper to run and maintain.

Bradford painting firm Alfred Bagnall & Sons will decorate it in the same colours of buttermilk, cream and grey and the domes will be painted in silver, red and blue.

Built in 1914 and refurbished in 1986, the Alhambra is regarded as one of the North's premier touring venues and hosts a range of entertainment from from ballet and opera to variety and comedy.

In 2000 there were record box office takings of £4 million when 175,000 theatregoers flocked to see Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical The Phantom of the Opera.