AS well as its religious importance there are many traditions integral to Easter.

Exchanging Easter gifts - chocolate being the favourite of course in the form of treats and eggs - is the most popular tradition dating back decades and it is also the perfect reminder for children as a symbol of why we acknowledge this calendar occasion.

Of course, sadly and similarly to Christmas, Easter has become commercially driven.

No sooner have children ripped off the wrapping and played with their Christmas presents, retailers are eagerly reminding us that Easter will soon be here.

Within a month or so of the festive season finishing it all starts again with shelves brimming with Easter treats and an abundance of bonnets, chicks and bunnies abound!

Easter also coincides with spring when we put our clocks forward and enjoy the warmer months and longer daylight hours after the cold dark days of winter.

The longer bank holiday break also gives families and friends the opportunity to spend time together catching up and joining in the fun.

Many recall the traditions of Easter from their own childhood; the games played and crafts such as cards and Easter-themed egg, bonnet and bunny creations.

Egg decorating is the perfect way to showcase your crafty flair! And what about egg rolling - just some of the traditional activities which have stood the test of time.

For those too young to know what egg rolling is, it is a competition to find whose egg travels the furthest.

Eggs are either rolled down a steep hill or pushed along with sticks.

Perhaps the most popular Easter activity is the egg hunt where children follow clues to seek out chocolate treats.

Then there is egg tapping, apparently a contest for the hardest egg where contestants tap each other's eggs.

There are other traditions associated with Easter too such as the foods related to the celebrations; Simnel cake, a fruit cake decorated with 11 marzipan balls representing the 11 faithful apostles or nut breads such as Potica.

The most popular of the Easter breads, and certainly the most recognised, are hot cross buns.

These spiced buns are available in supermarkets all year round but are more pertinent at this time of year due to their association with Easter.

The buns are symbolic as the cross represents the crucifixion of Jesus and the spices symbolise the spices used to embalm him at his burial.

This brings us on to the meaning of Easter. This 11 day festival and holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and is the culmination of the passion of Jesus preceded by Lent - a 40 day period of fasting, prayer and penance.

Most Christians refer to the week before Easter as Holy Week as it contains the days of the Easter Triduum including Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Maundy and Last Supper, and Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

Easter and the holidays don't fall on a fixed date in the Gregorian or Julian calendars. They follow the cycle of the sun. The date is determined on a Lunisolar calendar similar to the Hebrew calendar.

So while you are tucking into your chocolate treats and savouring time with the family, spare a thought for the meaning of Easter...

In the meantime, here are a few photos from our archive depicting celebrations of Easter in bygone times around Bradford and District sourced by our nostalgia writer and researcher, Odele Ayres.