A LOCAL artist who has completed a portrait of Bradford's Lord Mayor, Councillor Geoff Reid has revealed the finished work at City Hall.

Ian Laws used photographs taken in February as the basis for his work and surprised the Lord Mayor with the finished artwork at a meeting in the Lord Mayor's Rooms.

Cllr Reid, the Lady Mayoress Chris Reid, as well as Paul Greed, the Lord Mayor's officer on duty, were unanimous in their verdict.

“It is a remarkable piece of work,” said Cllr Reid, “and I am very pleased with it."

“When Ian turned up at reception enquiring about an audience with the Lord Mayor, council officers were somewhat bemused as to what he was up to. When it appeared in the diary we were uncertain as to what it meant.

"I have to say that Ian is not just a skilled artist. He is a very interesting man to talk to and he explained his passion for portraiture to us over coffee, as well as giving us insights into his job as a service engineer for companies in the Bradford district.

"As ever the Lord Mayor’s work is full of surprises and this has to come high on the unexpected list.”