An enchanting trail of ice sculptures in Bradford’s City Park told the story of how a boy grew up to become Father Christmas.

The wonderful work of Bradford-born sculptor Jamie Wardley and his team was unveiled in and around the Mirror Pool on Saturday.

More than 200 children and adults listened as Jamie and two storytellers told the tale of a boy who went on a journey with his friend Sparkle.

And there were gasps from the crowd as each exceptionally detailed sculpture was revealed.

“It has been a massive crowd,” said Jamie. “It’s beautiful and really nice that people have come along.”

He added: “This is the fourth time we have done this and we do a different story each year. This is a creative Christmas story – it is all about creativity.

“A boy goes on a journey and becomes the father of Christmas. The idea is about having a silly idea – but all ideas are a starting point.”

Before the storytelling trail, a crowd gathered to watch Jamie and some colleagues hack away at a block of ice with a chain saw. Their finished creation was Father Christmas’s sleigh.

One woman said: “It is wonderful. All the sculptures are amazing.”

The first sculpture – entitled Playing with Sparkle – showed a little boy poised to throw a snowball at his friend Sparkle. Next was Snowflakes from the Sky, where two ice children held snowflakes.

The third sculpture, called Boy Grows to a Young Man, showed an older boy chopping wood. The next two showed an older man who resembled Father Christmas, with the second of the pair showing a reunion with Sparkle. They were entitled Boy Grows to an Old Man and A Knock at the Door.

Following on from that was the old man and a group of snow children who were his helpers, entitled The Children of the Snow, before a glimpse at The Workshop where toys are made.

The trail finished at the Magical Sleigh of Ice, where Father Christmas appeared to the delight of children.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe (Windhill and Wrose, Lab) followed the trail round. She said: “It is a marvellous talent that Jamie has.”