EID celebrators were out in force during the first evening of the three-day event though the most expensive cars were kept back until later in the evening.

A steady stream of cars filled with revellers travelled up and down Great Horton Road from around 6pm onwards with the occasional Porsche and Ferrari giving a taste of things to come.

Traditionally revellers hire the latest supercars to drive around the city and they are joined by drivers in their own cars.

And while it may have been traditionally the men who took part, this year there were several cars filled with women who joined in the festivities.

Bhulla Singh, Bradford Council's area co-ordinator for Bradford West was with police at the Shearbridge Road cordon who together work in partnership with the Sherabridge Road residents' association.

He said the joint operation had been a success for families who had enjoyed an evening in the area's restaurants. "It was good to see people enjoying themselves which is the behaviour we want."

By 10.30pm a small number of cars had been stopped and taken off the road for offences including no insurance, anti-social behaviour and one for possession of an offensive weapon.

A spokesman for the police said the revellers would continue driving the cars through the night and into the early hours.

"Our interest is to stop as much anti-social behaviour as possible so local residents are not disturbed too much but to allow those taking part to have fun. A lot of the problem is the revving engines and beeping horns which annoys people."