THE Lord Mayor of Bradford helped the city's Marie Curie hospice get its Blooming Great Tea Party under way.

The event, part of a national Marie Curie Cancer Care fundraising campaign, featured stalls selling cakes and books, and games including a tombola stall, a raffle and quizzes.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mike Gibbons, was joined by actress Elizabeth Estensen, who plays Diane Sugden in Emmerdale, and representatives from Help the Hospices and Bradford District Care Trust.

The guests were taken on a guided tour of the hospice, which included a visit to the new in patient unit.