As Bradford's Capital of Culture bid was submitted - amid a blaze of camera flashes today - a new phase in its campaign begins.

On Thursday an ambitious national advertising campaign will be launched in London - and snapshots of Bradford people will be emblazoned on billboards across the UK.

The stunt is part of a major advertising campaign aimed at raising the profile of Bradford's bid until the shortlist is announced in September.

People across Bradford have been sending in photographs of themselves - in response to a Telegraph & Argus appeal - and now hundreds of the pictures have been used to create five montages, based on scenes from Bradford district.

The montages will appear on billboards, with catchy slogans, first in Bradford and London, then other areas of Britain - and there are plans to make them into fun products like jigsaws.

The design was inspired by the David Hockney photographic montage One Landscape, Many Views, which used photographs of different scenes to make up a whole.

The Bradford montages use pictures of Bradford folk to make five scenes: Salts Mill; Ilkley's Cow and Calf Rocks; the Alhambra theatre; Keighley cricket ground; and Bradford's state-of-the-art guided bus shelters.

The montages will appear on the Bradford2008 website, and people will be able to click on to each individual photograph to read a quote about Bradford's bid from the person in the picture!

"We wanted to represent the people of Bradford, because it's a people's bid," said Paul Brookes, head of the Bradford bid team.

"It's very important that Bradford is highlighted over coming months. Our target now is to be on that shortlist.

"It doesn't all stop once the bid is handed in. As far as the national campaign is concerned - it's only just beginning!"

Joining Gareth and the Capital of Culture team in handing the bid in today were Chiaki Nagao, principal dancer with Norhern Ballet Theatre, teenagers involved with the Ouseley report, youth members of the award-winning Black Dyke Band, dancers from the nationally-acclaimed South Asian arts group Kala Sangam and Bulls chief executive Abi Ekoku.

Also attending was Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton, Labour group leader Ian Greenwood and Gerry Sutcliffe MP.

On the day that Bradford's bid goes in, Bradford figures spoke of their pride at what the district has achieved.

"When Bradford announced that we were going for this bid eyebrows were raised," said Council leader Margaret Eaton. "Yes, we have a nerve going for it - and good for us!

"It shows we have confidence in ourselves and faith in what we can achieve. This bid is a fantastic opportunity to build on our success and really make a difference to Bradford's future.."

Councillor Ghazanfer Khaliq, Lord Mayor of Bradford, said: "It's wonderful that we have got this far. I'm very proud of Bradford."

Labour Group leader Ian Greenwood said: "This is Bradford's opportunity to show how multicultural communities can work, as well as a chance to challenge, change perceptions and create confidence in the future of Bradford."

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: "Bradford's bid has been a collective effort involving the contribution of hundreds of local people. It has helped to strengthen Bradford's image as a place that has a lot to offer.

"Partnership is at the heart of Bradford 2008. It has already brought together a wide range of organisations and there is significant support from community groups and businesses."

Chris Leslie, Shipley MP, said: "We have modern buildings and a wonderful traditional heritage. That's something we don't find in other European cities.

This Is Bradford's Capital of Culture site