FESTIVAL-GOERS had a feeling they weren't in Bradford any more as Munchkins, flying monkeys and witches took over City Park.

The three-day Echoes of Oz festival saw the mirror pool transformed into the Yellow Brick Road as the classic story of Dorothy's adventures was retold with a distinctively Bradfordian flavour.

Film projection, light shows, smoke, bubbles, a flash mob, street performance and dance were just some of the treats lined up for the crowds by festival organisers Irregular Arts.

A huge O-shaped screen showed showed films and staged performances about Dorothy's journey while the big screen transmitted tales of Bradford citizens' hearts, brains and courage.

There were colourful performances each lunchtime and multimedia shows each evening, with the bells of City Hall's clock tower regularly chiming the tune to Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

Children squelched along the yellow sponge 'bricks' making up the colourful pathway, explored Dorothy's house and slid down a sparkling Ruby Slipper Slide.

Production designer Shanaz Gulzar said she had enjoyed watching the children play on the Yellow Brick Road.

She said: "I love the way the kids seem to have totally owned it, which was our intention. I didn't want to be precious. I just wanted to make something they could go on and make theirs.

"The turnout has been amazing, really good. I'm so pleased to see that in Bradford. People are wanting to be here."

The fun began on Friday lunchtime as 100 children from Bradford’s primary schools performed a dance to welcome people to Munchkinland.

On Friday evening, Hammonds Saltaire Brass Band and Bradford Youth Brass Band played songs from the classic musical as Dorothy met Glinda the Good Witch of the North and started her journey along the Yellow Brick Road.

Then on Saturday, it was the turn of Scout and Guide groups, who planted a field of bright red poppies in front of the gathered crowds.

Young Emerald Citizens from local dance groups performed an energetic choreographed routine as they welcomed Dorothy to the Merry Ol' Land Of Oz.

Then the fearsome Flying Monkeys from Bradford Youth Service's cycling club took to bikes and tandems to 'fly' across the mirror pool.

On Saturday evening, the Let’s Sing Choir provided the music as the great and powerful Wizard sent Dorothy on her quest to defeat the Wicked Witch, in an eye-catching fire, smoke and light show.

The festivities continued on Sunday, as the frightening Flying Monkeys returned, this time led by the Wicked Witch.

But the Emerald Citizens were there to dance people's fears away.

Then in the grand finale on Sunday evening, the crowds gathered to watch the final showdown as Dorothy’s heart, brains and courage defeated the Wicked Witch and the Wizard left town.

It culminated in a flash-mob of 75 Dorothys all celebrating that there's 'no place like Bradford'.