GLEAMING cars have taken pride of place in the city centre today as part of the annual Bradford Classic event.

This year marks the show's 13th anniversary and City Park and Centenary Square have been packed with visitors eager to look at the stunning selection of vehicles on display.

It's the first time the event has been organised outside Bradford Council, instead being taken on by Classic Events (Bradford Ltd), which has been established to keep it running.

While much of the action has centred on City Park and Centenary Square, additional vehicles have also been displayed in the Broadway shopping centre.

There has also been a Bradford 'Made Market' in Centenary Square and pedal car races for little ones.

Over in Sunbridge Wells, a rare collection of archive pictures of Jowett models and the Bradford company's factory has gone on display.

A number of car-themed films have also been shown in City Park and at the The Light Cinema.

Organiser Mike Cowlam said: "We're about 40 per cent up on previous years in terms of the number of cars.

"It has been so much, we've had to take out part of the fountain area to accommodate the vehicles."

He said the event had turned out to be a "big success" and added: "I think the real beauty of events like this, and you only have to look around, unlike a normal classic car show which usually just attracts enthusiasts, actually this is a very community-based event.

"There are people of every age, every ethnicity, every kind of person is here.

"With it being a very solid surface, it's very good for wheelchairs, so there's quite a few people with disabilities able to get around, which they wouldn't normally wouldn't be able to do in a field."

He added: "I think this kind of event will sort of inspire some people to consider owning a classic car or possibly moving into the automotive/engineering industries."

Visitor Paul Storey, 48, of Undercliffe, said: "It's nice to see the different cars. It's nice to see it in Bradford, I come down every year.

"It's a good day out."

While Bernard Miran, 56, who was showing his 1959 Cadillac 62 convertible, brought over from California, said: "The event is beautiful, the people are nice, it's nice weather - what more can you ask for?

"I think it's absolutely fantastic."

David Hudson, 69, from the Aire Valley Transport Group was on hand to tell visitors about the 1927 Leyland Lion, which was operated by Bradford bus company Blythe and Berwick.

Speaking about the event, he said: "It obviously attracts lots of people into the area and I know from people I have been talking to, they do come from quite a distance to have a look at the vehicles."