AROUND 200 stars dedicated to loved ones are displayed on the tree in City Hall’s banqueting suite in a tradition held in partnership with the Telegraph & Argus for the past 13 years.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Abid Hussain, was the first to start off the 2017 annual Christmas Stars campaign by dedicating his star to his mother, Said Begum.

At yesterday’s reception told guests: “You have brightened this City Hall with your love as you share the memories of people in your heart.”

Each year gold stars are dedicated to special people who have died, are close to people’s hearts or who have made a real contribution to their communities or lives of others throughout the year.

Each star has cost £5 to buy with the money raised being donated to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal which this year is the Bingley-based Down Syndrome Training and Support Service and the Lord Mayor’s own Wishing Well appeal.

Peter Clay, from Thackley, was hanging a star for the 11th year in memory of his grandson, Freddie, who died in 2006 aged six months.

Nicky Hodges-Rhodes was hanging a star for her daughter, Lillie, who died in 2013 aged four days.

“We have hung stars for four years now. It has become a tradition,” she said.

Julie Hodgson, of Swain House, was hanging a star in memory of her mother, Evelyn Howcutt, with daughter Adele, niece Fiona Whitaker and her daughter, Phoebe.