Four sky-high Christmas trees have gone up around Bradford city centre in readiness for Thursday's big lights switch-on.

The spruces, which are located in Centenary Square, Bank Street and Darley Street, were put in place today and have been adorned with new strings of LEDs which have about 2,500 twinkling lights and run down the trees.

A further five smaller trees will be delivered next week to be placed in strategic points across the district.

The trees, which have come from the Kielder Forest in Northumbria, cost about £600 each.

Coronation Street actor and chat show host Antony Cotton is to flick the switch at 7pm on Thursday to illuminate about 70 sets of lights hung above the city's roads and about 30 lights attached to lamp posts.

The singing soapstar will be joined by former colleague Richard Fleeshman, who played Craig Harris in the soap.

Other musical talent at the event will be classical group All Angels and two local bands The Touch and White Light Parade.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens, will also be joining in the festivities, which begin at 5.30pm in Centenary Square with Pulse breakfast presenter Darren Kelly hosting the show.

Last year the civic trees came under fire because of their poor state which was blamed on wind and rain.