FESTIVE lights at Bradford's hospitals have been officially switched on, spreading Christmas joy as the big day draws ever closer.

Christmas trees at the Zen Garden on the main concourse at the Bradford Royal Infirmary (BRI) and the Horton Wing at St Luke's Hospital are adorned with lights which were illuminated with great fanfare earlier this week. Both switch-on ceremonies were accompanied by a brass band. At St Luke's, Sister Barbara Brown, one of the hospital's longest-serving staff members, did the honours while Aarav Mistry, four, gave a helping hand at the BRI. His little brother Kian was one of the first patients booked in via the new electronic patient record.

A festive bake-off challenge is due to be held at the BRI today, with Great British Bake Off star Sandy Docherty acting as head judge.

The Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's annual awards for hospital volunteers will be held tomorrow, followed in the evening by the Brilliant Bradford staff awards.

The week will be rounded off by the long service awards.