Relatives of Bradford heroes who lost or risked their lives to save others will watch proudly as the brave men and women are honoured in a permanent gallery in City Hall on Monday.

The gallery will feature the 13 heroes who were awarded the Victoria or George Cross in recognition of their outstanding bravery.

All of them were either born in the Bradford district or had strong links with the area throughout their lives.

The display, which will be unveiled by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Harry Mason, features their photographs alongside descriptions of their heroic acts.

Coun Mason said: "We all have cause to be immensely proud and thankful to these people who totally disregarded their own safety while saving other people's lives."

The awards, which span 113 years, were made during war and peacetime. They date back as far as the Crimean war when Private Matthew Hughes gained the VC in 1855 for several acts of bravery including rescuing two wounded soldiers. During one of the rescues he was wounded himself.

Most recently air stewardess Jane Harrison was awarded the George Cross posthumously in 1968 after she died saving passengers from a blazing airliner which had made an emergency landing at Heathrow Airport.

Council leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood, came up with the idea of the gallery, which takes up one of the large stone window alcoves in the civic corridor at the top of City Hall's main staircase.

He said: "It's a shame that most Bradford people have never heard of these local heroes so I thought it was time their names were put on permanent record.

"Their selfless acts of courage should never be forgotten. These brave men and women are a wonderful example to us and to future generations."

There are also plans to extend the display along the corridor to include those who have received other awards for outstanding bravery, including the Military Cross and the Distinguished Service Order.

And this summer a memorial will be unveiled in Centenary Square in memory of the Bradford Pals Regiment, many of whom died during the 1914-18 war in the Battle of the Somme or on the Western Front.

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