Bradford chart topper Gareth Gates delivered the city's bid to become European Capital of Culture 2008 with the rallying cry: 'Let's win it for the people!'

The teenage Pop Idol was the star attraction in London's Leicester Square as he flew in from a tour date in Glasgow to help unveil the city's bid to the nation.

With a big beam on his face he threw out his arms and told the crowd: "I'm doing this for Bradford - I'm a Bradford boy!"

"I love Bradford, it's my home city and its got lots to offer. I'm doing this for the people of Bradford as a big 'thank you' for all the support I've had from them."

And he said he hoped everyone would rally round to win the bid for the people: "Good luck to Bradford," he shouted.

Bradford is among the front-runners out of 12 cities bidding for the prestigious title that could help bring millions more visitors to the district and attract millions of pounds in revenue and grants.

Gareth was at the head of the Bradford team handing the documents that make up the bid to the Department of Culture. Also there were Lord Puttnam, MPs Gerry Sutcliffe, Terry Rooney and Chris Leslie, Council leader Margaret Eaton and bid director Paul Brookes.

Dancers from Bradford South Asian arts group Kala Sangam and pupils from Belle Vue High School were also in attendance as the group tried to drum up support for the city's bid.

Gareth also met young members of the award winning Black Dyke Brass Band and even had a go on their trumpet.

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton gave him a friendly squeeze on the shoulders and Gareth shook hands with Lord Putnam, chairman of Bradford's Capital of Culture Partnership Board and other members of the bid team.

After signing autographs for about ten minutes he disappeared, with a cheery wave and a thumbs up for Bradford.

Plans to deliver Bradford's bid to the Government in a London cab emblazoned with the Bradford 2008 logo were forced to be scrapped when the taxi was held up in an accident in central London.

Instead Lord Putnam, bid director Paul Brookes, Margaret Eaton and Labour leader Ian Greenwood took another car to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport offices near Trafalgar Square.

A total of 15 copies of the bid, all in boxed sets, were handed in.

Lord Putnam said: "It's been a terrific morning. Everything has gone brilliantly - we even had sunshine! Gareth Gates is clearly proud of Bradford, as Bradford people themselves jolly well should be."

Coun Eaton said: "This a very proud day for Bradford and who better to highlight Bradford's bid than our own Gareth Gates. He may be top of the charts but he obviously hasn't forgotten us. He did a fabulous job and it is clear where his heart is.

"Other bids are going in quietly but we have shown the enthusiasm in Bradford. This is not an apology for a bid, we are quietly confident and we have a heart driven desire to achieve."

The Bradford 2008 size five foot high letters which stood proudly in Leicester Square were designed by Bradford school children.

Some were painted with Bradford Bulls colours, another had Telegraph & Argus cuttings plastered across it, another had pictures of Bradford scenes painted on.

Passer-by John Day stopped to admire the letters as he walked through the square and said: "I haven't been to Bradford but this looks fantastic. You've obviously got a lot going for you and I wish you well."

This Is Bradford's Capital of Culture site

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