Dignitaries were in attendance yesterday to unveil two special plaques in Bradford city centre to mark two highly-significant occasions in British history.

The Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire Dr Ingrid Roscoe joined the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Abid Hussain for the ceremony, organised by the Rotary Club of Bradford.

Dr Roscoe and the Lord Mayor unveiled plaques in front of newly planted trees in Norfolk Gardens outside City Hall, to mark last year's centenary of the Battle of the Somme, and the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II.

The trees have been planted by the Rotary Club of Bradford, and were the brainchild of current member and past-president Manoj Joshi.

He said: “The Rotary Club’s motto is ‘service above self’, and the Queen’s unstinting service to this country and the Commonwealth is a prime example of this. She is an amazing lady and we wanted to give her the recognition she deserves, and hopefully this lasting tribute will encourage and motivate young people to serve in a similar way.”

At the ceremony, Dr Ingrid Roscoe unveiled the plaque dedicated to the Queen, and said it was “unique”.

She said: “I’m very proud to have represented the Queen for a long time in Yorkshire, and I must say I have not seen any other commemorative plaques for her birthday, so it is unique in this area.

“The layout of Norfolk Gardens is lovely and is the perfect place for a permanent momento of the Queen’s 90th birthday.”

Following this, the Lord Mayor Cllr Hussain unveiled another plaque and tree, marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme in the Great War.

“It is an honour for me to commemorate the Battle of the Somme,” he said.

“It was a big tragedy, especially for the Bradford Pals, where so many gave their lives for their country.

"This tree and plaque, along with the Pals memorial, ensures their sacrifice will never be forgotten, and also recognises the work of the South Asian community in the war. Everyone from all communities in Bradford have a link to the war, and this is a great way to remember them.”

David Akester, president of the Rotary Club of Bradford, said the plaque unveiling was a “great occasion”.

“I’m very proud to be here after lots of organisation,” he added.

“It’s very important as the Queen has shown so much devotion to the country so it is nice to have something permanent to mark that, and of course it is crucial we never forget the Somme, and in particular the sacrifices made by the Bradford Pals.”