Former Lister Park ranger Bernard Barry made an emotional return to his old workplace - and met the man charged with finding his replacement - 19 years on.

Bernard, who is now 82, was ranger at the Bradford park for 23 years. And he took his first walk around the Victorian park since he last locked the gates back in 1982.

It was the first time that Bernard had seen improvements made to the park as part of a £4.2 million Lottery-funded scheme. And he was amazed at the transformation.

"What a difference! It's a lot better than when I was here last," he said. "It's just beautiful. People kept telling me how nice it is now so I thought if I had the chance to come back then I would."

Bernard's tour took in the new adventure playground, bandstand and stunning Mughal water garden.

And when he saw the new boating lake and pavilion, he said: "It's absolutely lovely, so much better than the wooden shed that used to be here."

His guide for the day was his former boss David Talbot, Bradford Council's principal outdoor amenities manager. Mr Talbot is now charged with finding a new ranger for Lister Park, which was a condition of the lottery funding.

"We realised that because of the facilities we were bringing in to the park, we needed a ranger to act as a contact for visitors," he said.

But he admitted it would be tough to find a replacement. "Bernard always had a friendly, smiling face for everyone, and he was one of our longest serving rangers.

"He was such a popular figure. Everyone knew him as 'Parky'.

"But the job has changed a lot since he left. It's now about more than policing the park - it's about encouraging people to come and enjoy the facilities we have."

Bernard also met an existing ranger who patrols a host of parks across the district by motorbike.

"The bikes are fantastic," said Bernard. "But I think I'd rather walk - I must have done at least 10,000 miles in my time here. I averaged 18 to 20 miles a day."

Bernard's time as park ranger was certainly eventful. He recalls fishing a suicide victim out of the lake, administering the kiss of life to a man who collapsed, and falling through thin ice on the lake while putting up a sign warning of the danger.

Bernard has one tip for whoever takes on the job that was last occupied back in 1982: "Tell them never to lose their sense of humour," he said.