Bradford is gearing up to welcome Gareth Gates back to the city, after the chart-topper revealed he is desperate to perform a home-coming gig.

Gareth said he wants to perform a concert for his Bradford fans, after thousands travelled to Sheffield Arena to cheer him on last week.

And venues around the city are now vying to host what would be the biggest pop concert the city has seen.

Today officials at Bradford City revealed they would welcome the chance to host a Gareth concert at Valley Parade, which has the biggest capacity in the district.

But that plan could be scuppered by red tape as the ground is not yet licensed to host pop concerts.

A spokesman for the club said: "We would be delighted to host Gareth at Valley Parade. Subject to the appropriate approval by the local authority, we are always looking for other ways to increase the usage of the stadium."

The club would have to apply for a special licence to hold such an event, and a decision would be made by a committee including Bradford Council and the emergency services.

The city's biggest indoor venue is Pennington's Live on Manningham Lane, which has a capacity of 3,000.

Club boss John Pennington said: "We have spoken to Gareth's management company and made them aware of the venue and the fact that it is the biggest in Bradford. We have said we will pay whatever it costs and would do it as a charity night.

"Unfortunately, his life is not his own at the moment, but I don't see any reason why it couldn't happen here - even if it's not for a little while yet."

Mr Pennington, who is also president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce, added that Gareth's success was a "massive boost" to the city's profile at a crucial time.

Gareth's uncle John Broadbent confirmed that the teenage heart-throb was desperate to sing in front of his own fans. "I definitely know that he wants to do a concert in Bradford, but the only problem is there isn't anywhere big enough. To have it some where like Valley Parade would be fantastic. He was really well supported at the concert in Sheffield, and I know he wants to come back to Bradford and say thanks to everybody."

A spokesman for Gareth's management company Nineteen said a one-off gig in Bradford was a future possibility.

He said: "I know that he is very patriotic to Bradford, and he is always really keen to get involved in any way he can to promote the city. However, at the moment he is busy working on his forthcoming album and new single, and he will want to focus on his own material before he starts touring again."

Jane Glaister, Bradford Council's director of Arts Heritage and Leisure, said: "We have already been discussing the possibility of Gareth Gates playing a venue in Bradford and we certainly hope it will happen. Through his management company, we have invited Gareth to perform either at the Alhambra or St George's Hall. Obviously, Gareth is very busy at the moment, but as soon as he is available we would love him to perform in one of our venues.

"As far as Bradford is concerned - the sooner the better!"

l Gareth is being tipped to stay at No.1 for a second week. Record executives revealed today that Unchained Melody is comfortably outselling its chart rivals, including a new release from Missy Elliott.