Bradford's council leader was today telling Tory conference delegates from across Britain about the "revolutionary" rebirth of the city and its visionary master plan.

Tory leader of Britain's fourth biggest metropolitan authority, Councillor Margaret Eaton was describing the £1.5 billion plan for the city's renaissance at the Conservative Party conference in Blackpool.

Coun Eaton told delegates: "The changes taking place within the city, and those that are planned for the future, are nothing short of revolutionary - a complete re-imaging of what an urban centre should be.

"Bradford has a bold new vision encapsulated in an inspirational master plan.

"But regeneration is about more than bricks and mortar. The goal for any successful regeneration project is to breathe new life into a city and create an environment that supports the economic and cultural wealth of the people that live and work there."

The invite to Coun Eaton - also chairman of the Local Government Association's Conservative group - comes as a £300,000 national advertising campaign promoting Bradford's re-birth gets underway.

A new poster has been chosen to symbolise the "birth" with flocks of storks delivering bundles of bricks.

It will be seen on bill boards, at cinemas and in publications across Yorkshire and Britain. It will also be emblazoned on a London cab.

A giant promotional banner carrying the Bradford "b" logo has also been unveiled on the Lister's Mill's towering chimney.

Coun Eaton told the party conference Bradford was also leading the five Yorkshire cities in the urban cultural programme Illuminate.

The massive arts programme acknowledges international Bradford-bred creators such as David Hockney, Delius and the Brontes while inspiring others who are crucial to the development of the new city.

Coun Eaton's speech was taking place at a conference dominated by the party's leadership battle.

She said today she believed knowledge of local government and clear thinking about its role and purpose was essential for any new leader.

"But I have an open mind and it would be wrong to discuss any personal preferences," she added.

Coun Eaton will leave as soon as the conference ends for the wedding of her daughter, Gretchen, to Mark Dickenson at St Chad's Church, Manningham.