LAST-MINUTE preparations are under way for a series of sand sculptures being created to celebrate the district's past.

Nine pieces will be sculpted and on show across the city centre as part of the Discovering Bradford project.

Jamie Wardley, of artists Sand in Your Eye, was working on a large sculpture of Emily Bronte at the city's Waterstones store today.

The group is importing more than 30 tons of sand for the displays, commissioned by Bradford Council, which are on show between November 5 and 12.

The centrepiece, at The Broadway, will be an eight ton sculpture of Bradford's cityscape featuring the Wool Exchange and Alhambra Theatre.

The Bradford Landscape will be carved onsite between Tuesday and Thursday's opening.

Mr Wardley said: "It's so wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate Bradford's cultural heritage and to make sand sculptures here in the city again."

Kirkgate Shopping Centre is housing a flock of sheep to mark Bradford's 19th century textile heritage. Others include a bench celebrating Bradford's diverse population in Centenary Square from November 1 to 5 and Bradford's 1911 FA Cup victory will be marked with a sand trophy in the window of Forks Bakery on North Parade.

VIDEO: Watch one of the sand sculptures being crafted