WEST Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has said she will support the rival City of Culture bids from both Bradford and Wakefield.

In 2019 it was announced that Bradford would launch a bid to be the 2025 City of Culture.

Until this Summer, it was the only West Yorkshire city to have put its name forward for the prestigious title - which is expected to bring in millions in investment.

But in June Wakefield announced that it would also be competing for the title - meaning the two West Yorkshire Districts would be in direct competition for the prize.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority - a body made up of the five West Yorkshire Councils, recently released a new economic recovery plan for the area.

Part of it details how arts, culture and tourism can help the area’s economy recover post pandemic.

Under a section on how the Authority will grow the tourist economy, the report says it will develop a “creative new deal” and adds that it will “support Bradford and Wakefield’s 2025 City of Culture proposals.”

In June, shortly before Wakefield announced its bid, Ms Brabin attended a meeting of Bradford Council’s Executive for the first time since she was elected in May.

Cross party support for Bradford's City of Culture bid

When discussion at the meeting turned to the City of Culture bid Ms Brabin said: “I know Bradford will get City of Culture.

“It is our time, and it will be transformative for the region, the same way it was for Hull.”

However, with Wakefield since announcing its bid, it means she is an elected representative for two areas both vying to take the honour.

The Telegraph & Argus asked Ms Brabin for her position considering the Combined Authority is now backing both bids. She revealed that she has written to the panel that will make the final decision to express her support for both bids.

Ms Brabin said: “I am delighted to be supporting the bids from Bradford and Wakefield to become UK City of Culture 2025.

“The fact we have two cities putting forward such strong and attractive submissions clearly shows the breadth of talent and vibrant cultural offer within our region, and I have personally written to the UK City of Culture Advisory Panel to express support for both Bradford and Wakefield.

“The UK City of Culture title is vitally important to the economic direction of the region and to our priorities for taking West Yorkshire forward and I wish them both the best of luck.”

In July all the political parties that make up Bradford Council agreed to support Bradford’s bid in a rare moment of political unity.