A Bradford 'lad' from a working class background has become a life peer and is taking his place in the House of Lords.

Dan Brennan - now Lord Brennan of Bibury - today sent the message to his home city to "get up and go for it".

And he said he fully supported its bid to become the European City of Culture in 2008.

Lord Brennan was brought up in Tennyson Place, off Otley Road, where his family ran the Airedale and later the Barkerend pubs.

The 58-year-old London barrister said: "The houses were two up and two down.

"You washed at the kitchen sink or had a bath in front of the fire."

The new peer, who gave his oath to the Queen in parliament yesterday, was born in St Luke's Hospital and went to St Mary's Infant School.

He attended St Bede's Grammar School before going to Manchester University.

He has lived and practised in London for the past ten years and became chairman of the bar council last year.

His peerage follows his heavy involvement implementing changes in the profession.

He says the arrogant stereotyped image of barristers is vanishing and they are becoming more attuned to people's needs.

His main interests in the House of Lords will include the protection of young children in all aspects of the law, as well as legal and constitutional matters.

Lord Brennan says he found a greatly changed city during his last visit last year.

He said: "I fully endorse its bid to become the European City of Culture. It is time for the people in the North to get up and go.

"I was impressed by Bradford's diversity. I applaud the positive.

"Things have changed. When I was young, it was a wool orientated city with mills everywhere.

"There was dust and smoking chimneys. But the Swan Arcade was part of its magnificent heritage. Life was poorer in Bradford and much more basic. I will always have a feeling of nostalgia for Bradford."

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