Schools and early years and childcare providers judged outstanding by Ofsted in the last academic year received official recognition today.

A total of 17 centres across the Bradford district received the best possible inspection report during 2006/07 - more than any other local authority in West Yorkshire.

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills, Christine Gilbert, said: "I am delighted to recognise, publicly, such outstanding provision across all areas of education and care and to pay tribute to all who contributed to this success."

All outstanding providers are given a distinctive "outstanding" logo which they can use on documents and their website to advertise the achievement.

John Gaskin, Education Bradford's managing director, said: "We are delighted that out of the five local authorities in West Yorkshire, nearly a third of the schools Ofsted judges to be outstanding are from the Bradford district.

"This is a major achievement for the Bradford district and highlights the extent of excellent performance in schools in the authority.

Councilllor Colin Gill, Bradford Council's executive member for children's services, said: "It's wonderful to see so many of our schools, nurseries and children's centres recognised nationally as outstanding.

"The Lord Mayor Councillor Robin Owens and I will be visiting all of them to personally congratulate children, teachers, parents and governors on behalf of the Council on their achievements - keep up the good work!"

The schools and early years providers ranked outstanding last year were: St Anthony's Catholic Primary, Clayton; Eldwick Primary, Bingley; Oakworth Primary, Keighley; Newby Primary; Netherlands Avenue School and Community Nursery and Lilycroft Nursery School.

Also given the accolade were: Sacred Heart Catholic Primary, Ilkley; Myrtle Park Primary, Bingley; Long Lee Primary, Keighley; Carlton Bolling College; Killinghall Primary; Canterbury Nursery School and Centre for Children and Families and Copthorne Primary.

Midland Road Nursery, All Saint's CE Primary, Ilkley; St John's CE Primary, Bierley, and Woodlands CE Primary also hit the heights.