THE step-sister of wartime diarist Anne Frank has planted a commemorative tree in her honour in Bradford.

Dr Eva Schloss, the honorary life president of the Anne Frank Trust UK, planted a chestnut tree in the grounds of Cartwright Hall in Lister Park today.

The chestnut tree sapling was given to Bradford Council by the Anne Frank House Amsterdam in 2010 in recognition of the relationship between the Trust and the local authority.

It has been carefully nurtured to grow large enough to be planted outdoors.

Bradford's sapling is one of only 150 handed out throughout the world.

The chestnut tree behind the Secret Annexe in Amsterdam was one of Anne Frank's only links to the outside world during the years she spent in hiding.

She wrote about the tree in her diary on May 13, 1944: "Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. It's covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year."

But the White Horse Chestnut tree, which was more than 170 years old, suffered from a serious disease and was felled on August 23, 2010.

The ceremony in Bradford was led by the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Mike Gibbons. It included a reading of a poem written by the Anne Frank Trust by pupils of schools including Belle Vue Boys' School and St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College read out a poem written by the Anne Frank Trust.

Dr Schloss said: "It was a very moving event. It's very important that young people know about the importance of the tree.

"Anne was very attached to the chestnut tree because when she looked out of the window it was the only thing she could see of nature.

"There are only 150 saplings which have been taken from the chestnut tree and distributed around then world. Only ten of them were given to England, so Bradford should feel quite honoured to have one of them."

Cllr Gibbons said: "It's really wonderful to be here at Lister Park to witness the planting of the sapling that was taken from outside Anne Frank's home.

"I'm very proud to have it here in Bradford and we hope that it is a lasting memory to those who are oppressed and suppressed throughout the world."

He added that it was a great privilege to have met Anne Frank's step-sister.

Dr Schloss was also at Kala Sangam in Forster Square as The Anne Frank +YOU exhibition opened last night. She spoke about her experiences as a Holocaust survivor.

Schools involved in the exhibition include Carlton Bolling College, Dixons City Academy and Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College.

Annelies Marie 'Anne' Frank was a diarist and writer and one of the most discussed Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Her wartime diary was published following her death. It follows her experiences hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands during the Second World War.