Three controversial Bradford district buildings are in the running to be named the UK's most badly designed property.

Government architectural advisor CABE has asked the British public to name the country's ugliest building.

And Bradford folk have been quick to nominate the unsightly structures they want named and shamed.

CABE spokesman Dan Thompson said Bingley's notorious Bradford & Bingley building, Bradford Interchange and Wardley House student apartments in Little Horton Lane had all been nominated.

Mr Thompson said: "The Bradford & Bingley building has already received some flak, with Wardley House student apartments in Little Horton Lane also getting a battering. Another cited Bradford Interchange as an example of bad design."

However, Les Webb, a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects' (RIBA) Bradford branch, said he rather liked all three buildings, despite the criticism they have received since hitting the district's skyline.

Mr Webb said: "It's easy to be critical in hindsight, but you have to remember that at the time these buildings were built the owners were very happy with the way they had been designed.

"Thirty years on things have moved on, but everybody was very happy to see the Interchange being built in the 1970s. It was something Bradford wanted."

Mr Webb added the Wardley House building had been part of Bradford's post-war regeneration and the Bradford & Bingley building had allowed the company to remain in the district.

"Personally I think the Bradford and Bingley building is a nice building," added Mr Webb. "It has provided a lot of employment and served its purpose well."

Architecture in Bradford is changing rapidly. As we reported yesterday, top architect Will Alsop the man behind Bradford's city centre masterplan is pleased with the progress being made (see the T&A's website). Though, he said, "These things are not delivered overnight."

As we also reported yesterday, Bradford's Design Awards gave the seal of approval to a revamped canal-side mill complex, a couple of home extensions, Centenary Square's "banana building" and the public toilets in Bingley town centre.

A top honour went to Shire House, the striking 20,500 sq ft development on Harris Street, Barkerend.

Paul Ryan, 42, director of Guiseley-based Watson Batty Architects, designers of the building, said they had aimed to create a "landmark structure".

Shipley's Victoria Mills was also commended during the ceremony. Tony Lupton, director of architects Beckwith Design Associates, said the building had proved to be a catalyst for the regeneration of Shipley.

Richard Addenbrooke, director of Ilkley-based architects Sense of Space Ltd, commended for its residential extension at 5 St James' Road in the town said the commendation would help the fledgling firm grow.

To nominate your most loathed building log-on to www.cabe.org.uk.

e-mail: dan.webber@bradford.newsquest.co.uk