Bradford was today dubbed a "swanky, trendy city" by a tycoon who has snapped up dozens of new apartments in a multi-million pound spending spree in the district.

Manoj Raithatha's company Summertime Properties has paid more than £10 million for top class apartments in Byron Halls, Bradford, Victoria Mill, Saltaire, and landmark Lister's Mill.

And he says he will be back in Bradford with his cheque book as more luxury apartments come on stream in the coming months.

His Middlesex-based company is now Britain's biggest purchaser in the North of new apartments "off the plan" before building has even started. And Mr Raithatha, 30, who is managing director, says although other places like Manchester have taken off "with a big bang" he believes Bradford is now a key investment area which is on the up and up.

The former successful drama writer praised Bradford's "stunning" architecture, parks and countryside.

And he said he did not believe a decision by the Portman Building Society to no longer to provide buy to let mortgages for new-build flats would flatten the market.

"I do not believe they will do it with all applications and I don't think the other big lenders will follow suit," he added.

Mr Raithatha said: "When I bought 30 apartments at Byron Hall people thought I was mad. Negative things have been said about Bradford which were wrong. It used to be a wealthy city and it has stunning architecture. It has the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, the Alhambra Theatre and restaurants.

"It is getting the Broadway shopping centre and has Will Alsop's master plan. Little Germany has lots of character and history, and we bought apartments at Lister's Mill at a time when people were queuing overnight for them."

His company has also invested £60m in Leeds in less than a year and has bought apartments in Sheffield, Hull and Liverpool.

He tries to buy apartments in bulk before building starts, getting a big discount and also a say on specifications and fittings. Some of the discount is passed onto buyers.

His interest in Bradford was kindled about five years ago when he stayed in the city as his award-winning drama, British Born Asian and Proud, was staged in the Alhambra Studio.

His career as a drama writer took off and this year one of his creations, the ITV children's series My Life as a Popat, was shortlisted for an Emmy and won a Bafta. But Mr Raithatha gave it up and joined his mother in gradually acquiring a multi-million pound property portfolio.