Shoppers are choosing to use Bradford's city centre stores rather than out-of-town retail centres.

A survey by The Retail Prospects Index ranks the city's Arndale Centre in the top 100 shopping locations in the UK.

Compiled by analysts Business Strategies and property group Churston Heard, Bradford is placed at 78 in the listing - 27 places higher than last year.

Centre manager Catherine Riley said it was good news.

"High street shopping is what they know and love," she said. "People will turn to out-of-town centres for special purchases but most will always use the high street.

"We have seen a definite increase in the number of people using the centre and look forward to more when the refurbishment is finished.

"Prudential has faith otherwise it would not be investing millions of pounds on refurbishment.

"Bradford has got a lot going for it. Apart from its shops it has sport and museums.

"To many people it's more than just shopping and people love city life."

According to Mrs Riley, the number of visitors to the centre averages 250,000 a week - a figure which is rising.

The survey predicts future potential and growth for retail locations based on rents payable, current demand, spending per head and employment.

A number of city centre locations made it into the top 10, including Leeds which came in at second place - higher than London's famous shopping district Oxford Street.

But large out-of-town centres fared less well - Meadowhall near Sheffield fell 26 places to a ranking of 69, while Bluewater in Kent dropped 64 places and out of the top 100 at 102.

Business Strategies associate director Nick Stewart said: "There is a renaissance on the high street at the moment.

"Planning started a couple of years ago to bring them back up to scratch as they had been a bit neglected. There has been a lot of investment in the high street."