City have thanked a local engineering firm for waiving a four-figure bill for improvement work at Valley Parade.

Low Moor-based Mitton Mechanical Services have been carrying out an energy audit at the ground, which highlighted the pitch-side water leak in the north-west corner.

City director Roger Owen said: “Mitton have been very loyal supporters of their home-town football club. It’s fair to say that both I and the rest of the board were amazed at the generosity.

“Mitton offered to do a free energy audit which brought to light the long-standing water leak under the pitch. This has now been resolved with the assistance of some sophisticated equipment which enabled us to stop three years of wasted water in three hours.

“They have also produced a detailed report which we intend to adopt and will lead to further significant savings. I hope it will allow us to achieve the carbon trust standard which has only been achieved by Manchester United in the football world.”

Mitton chairman Michael Taylor added: “We felt it was incumbent upon us to show other Bradford businesses a lead. The directors at City are working their socks off against a very tight financial situation.”