North Parade in Bradford has once again been recognised in the annual Great British High Street competition.

The street was named in the top five of the city category, beating over 85 per cent of entries and just missing out on going through to the public vote to decide the winner - as it did last year.

The top five in the city category are Bristol, Derby, Norwich - which will all go through to public vote - and Chelmsford and Bradford.

High Streets Minister Andrew Percy said: "Bradford demonstrated many of the things we were looking for, a commitment to revitalising the high street as a unique place for living, working and shopping.

"Bradford just missed out on the public vote this year but can take great pride in reaching the final five and being named one of Britain’s best high streets.”

Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, Alex Ross-Shaw, said: “We are delighted that North Parade and the top of town in general has been recognised for the second year running as a great city centre location for people to visit.

“The businesses have built on their accolade of being a finalist in last year’s High Street of the Year award, collaborating with each other to make it a great destination and working hard with the Council to progress an events programme to attract visitors and develop new digital initiatives to boost trade.

“We have seen a number of new businesses open up in the area with support from our City Centre Growth Zone which offers business rates relief to those who create new jobs in the area, and look forward to further developments which are still in the pipeline.”

This year’s competition had a record 900 entries across all 14 categories, including the new categories for individuals and shops.

Now the shortlist has been drawn up and the public has the chance to vote directly for their best-loved high street online.