HUNDREDS of bricks have been painted yellow to pave the way for a weekend that will see Bradford City Park transformed into a magical Munchkinland.

Community artist Shanaz Gulzar and volunteers were at Uriah Woodhead's warehouse in Canal Road, Bradford, getting the bricks ready for their role at the heart of the city's Echoes of Oz project which will take over the mirror pool in the city centre from October 9 to October 11.

Visitors will be invited to follow the yellow brick road over those three days to explore The Wizard of Oz-inspired playground which will take four days to build, starting on Monday.

The bricks will form the road famous in the film which starred Judy Garland and be built into 66 platforms that will part cross the pool - the fountains will also be on and shoot halfway up the stepping stones - those brave souls daring enough to cross them will also be able to reach three fun foam islands, said Ms Gulzar, 43, who is based in Keighley.

"I wanted to create something that was really playful and built on the fun spirit that Bradford people have already created at the mirror pool. It's a fantastic, happy space," she said.

There will also be a yellow carpet for people to promenade along and yellow vinyl in a swirling shape in the pool.

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Ms Gulzar said: "The promenade means people in wheelchairs or with buggies can get involved in it all while other people can skip across the stepping stones and those brave souls who dare can get their feet wet on the vinyl spiral. It's brilliant because I know it's going to work,"

The art installation which will also include two projection towers and seven lighting towers and 100 poppy red windmills is at the centre of the Irregular Arts project working with artists and community groups from around the district to celebrate Bradford and its citizens.

As well as weaving their way along the yellow brick road, visitors will be able to go inside Dorothy's house into her bedroom and take a ride of the giant Ruby Slipper Slide, also created by Ms Gulzar.

A huge O-shaped screen will show films and staged performances telling the tale of Dorothy's journey while the Bradford big screen transmit tales of Bradford citizens' own heart, brains and courage.

Glinda the Good Witch will be a huge 3ms tall, Professor Marvel and the Wicked Witch of the West will also be there for meet and greets. There will be different live and light shows each day at 1.30pm and 7pm, a choreographed Dorothy dance and Oz-themed fancy dress.

Ms Gulzar said: "People will see the mirror pool as it's never been seen before. There really is no place like Bradford."

Once the weekend is over, all the materials from the installation will be either reused in other Irregular Arts projects or recycled - the bricks are going to help build some stables.