Crowds gather to see Olympic Torch relay in Bradford (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Crowds gather to see Olympic Torch relay in Bradford

1:40pm Sunday 24th June 2012 in Bradford By Marc Meneaud, Aire Valley Chief Reporter

Crowds were gathering in Bradford city centre today to witness history being made when the Olympic Flame arrives.

More than a thousand children were preparing for a parade to Centenary Square ahead of the arrival of the Olympic Torch relay.

Youngsters at schools across Bradford district will follow the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Dale Smith, and musicians from 200 Yorkshire brass and silver bands.

The school pupils were gathering in Norfolk Gardens before the parade, which is part of the 2012 Olympic torch relay.

Bradford Councillor Andrew Thornton, executive member for environment, sport and sustainability was among the growing crowds in City Park.

He said: "The children and the band will be coming through City Park soon. There are brass bands and the children have made their own banners and home-made Olympic torches. It is great that people are really joining in."

He added: "Looking around, it seems like the crowd is filling up. Hopefully there will be even more before the torch arrives."

Spectators had turned up early in Centenary Square and City Park to get the best spot to see the Olympic Torch relay as it makes its way through the Bradford district as part of a journey across the UK.

One onlooker, Margaret Wilmore said: “I’ve been here since 10am because it is such an event and not something that you see every day.”

Mrs Wilmore, of Allerton Road, Allerton, had positioned herself by the fountains in City Park to watch the progress of the torch relay being shown live on the giant screen nearby.

She said: “I think there has been a lot of hard work put in and I think people should come to see it.”

Athlete Daniel Frith, 17, arrived with his family, including dad Vincent and 21-year-old brother, Lee, to mark the momentous occasion.

Daniel, a Southfield Special Needs Campus pupil, was celebrating his own success after taking gold in the 2012 UK School Games in the 3,500 metres race.

Draped in a Union flag and with his gold medal around his neck, he was waiting for his colleagues from Airedale and Calderdale Athletics Club in Huddersfield Road, to join him in welcoming the torch to town.

Vincent Frith, 44, said: “We got here early because it is the only time we are going to see it and to celebrate what my son has achieved for Bradford.”

The torch is expected to arrive in Manchester Road shortly before 3pm.