City Hall was even more eye-catching than usual tonight as the magnificent structure was lit up in purple.

The spectacle was arranged to coincide with World Polio Day, with purple representing the colour of the dye placed on a child’s finger to show they have been immunised against the disease.

Rotary Clubs in Bradford joined thousands around the world in marking the awareness day.

In 1985 Rotary launched the Polio Plus Programme, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through mass vaccination of children.  They were quickly joined by other major organisations and the work to stop polio has been relentless.

A good number of local rotarians gathered in Bradford today near the big screen which was showing short clips of the fight against polio. 

A group spokesman said: “It was interesting talking to young people in Centenary Square as most had never heard of polio, which demonstrates that we must see it through to the end and not let polio beat us.”

Despite increasingly chilly conditions, many of the group remained in the city centre throughout the afternoon and into the early evening to see the atmospheric purple lighting take effect.

They were joined by special guest Nigel Arthurs, the Rotary Club’s District Governor for Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

Rotary members throughout Great Britain and Ireland held Purple4Polio events throughout today to raise awareness and donations for the Rotary campaign to End Polio Now and forever.