One of the greatest love stories of all time will be brought to life tonight when Bradford hosts the world premiere of Wuthering Heights.

The spectacular new production, created by the Northern Ballet Theatre, will debut at the Alhambra theatre in front of a VIP audience before touring the UK and possibly the world.

The show is based on the classic novel by Emily Bronte, which tells the tragic tale of doomed lovers Cathy Earnshaw and Heathcliff among the brooding Haworth moors.

A spokesman for NBT said there was never any choice when deciding where to hold the premiere.

She said: "We have premiered pieces in Bradford before but that fact that it's Wuthering Heights meant it had to be here.

"Because it's so close to where it all started there's even greater motivation to make it as spectacular as possible.

"The trouble with a production like this is that you are interpreting something that people already have in their heads and their hearts. They have a personal view of what Cathy, Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights is like and all we can hope to do is capture the essence of the book and make it as spectacular as we can. We're very proud of the show and think we've done that.

"Of course, the people of Bradford will be glad to hear that they will see it first before it goes on national tour and long before it get to London in March, 2003!"

The sweeping score for the show has been written by Claude-Michel Schonberg, the man who composed the music for Les Miserables and who originally approached NBT's artistic director David Nixon with the idea for the show.

At the premiere tonight a whole host of dignitaries and celebrities will line up to be the first to see the show which has taken hundreds of people and 12 months of preparation to create. Among those attending will be sports minister Richard Caborn, TV presenter and MP Austin Mitchell and Bradford's Lord Mayor Councillor Richard Wightman.

A spokesman for the Alhambra said staging the premiere was a great coup for Bradford and its capital of culture bid.

He said: "Bradford Theatres' are very proud to be staging the world premier. Here is yet another example of how the district has world-class artistic events which contribute to a rich and varied cultural environment.

The production runs at the Alhambra until Saturday. Contact (01274) 752000 for details.