A revamped country park in Bradford is set to be the icing on the cake for the city's Capital of Culture bid.

The 100-acre St Ives park in Harden, near Bingley, is being developed to boost visitor numbers.

The improvements, which will be done by the Council's recreation department and will continue throughout the spring and summer, include a tea shop, disabled access and car parks.

New sign-posted footpaths around the estate will open in time for Easter.

And the park, which is also home to roe and fallow deer, will be transformed into a medieval village on August 11 for a pageant featuring minstrels, jousting and falconry displays.

Councillor Robin Owens (Con, Bingley) said the scheme, unveiled at the Harden neighbourhood forum, is the final ingredient in the district's 2008 Capital of Culture bid.

"We've got everything else in Bradford and the park could be the last and vital component for the bid," he said.

"It has a long way to go yet and my only reservations are the effect more visitors would have on the wildlife but we have to strike a balance.

"Overall it's a good project and something that should do very well."

Tim Whitfield, the bid's project manager, said he was delighted the park was being included in the package.

"It proves we have a lot to offer in Bradford and our natural environment is as important as all the other attractions in the city," he said.

St Ives is also home to Bradford Independent Health Care's disabled unit and riding school.

The unit's marketing officer Tim Mahon said the improvements would raise the park's profile.

"When I first came to St Ives I was amazed at how beautiful it is up here," he said.

"Establishing it as a country park will put it on the map and more people will be able to come and make the most of this wildlife haven."

A total of £1m is being poured into the riding school and its facilities for disabled people.

An indoor riding school is set to be opened later this year which will include holiday accommodation.

Barrie Tinker, the Council's senior outdoor recreation manager, said: "People attending the Harden neighbourhood forum were very supportive of the introduction of new and improved footpaths on the St Ives country park.

"The works will be carried out in time for the busy Easter break and are being funded through the Council's maintenance budget for the estate."

In 1998 Bradford Council's leisure services committee decided the farmland should be developed as a country park.