LATEST NEWS: Hundreds in Bradford flying high as world's biggest kites take to the skies

A JAW-dropping display featuring some of the biggest kites in the world is coming to Bradford next month.

Northcliffe Park in Shipley will host a kite display by The Northern Kite Group from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, June 18.

"The Northern Kite Group was formed to show people the ethical activity of kite flying." said Jim Potts, events office for the group. "We like to put a smile on people's face with our jaw-dropping displays.

"Visitors will get to see some of the biggest kites in the world," said Jim. "You can see them from miles around."

One of the kites is a giant teddy bear called Oscar measuring 64-feet long, which was made by group members Craig Harby and Sue Kennedy.

Jim said that most of their kites are so big that they need to be tied to the back of a vehicle.

He said: "The wind in this country is all over the place and when a kite is tethered to a vehicle it allows you to move your anchor point."

The Northern Kite Group hosts events all over the north of England.

Jim said: "We just came back from a two-day festival at Bridlington last weekend, where there were 20,000 people a day who attended.

"St Anne's near Blackpool is the largest event which has in excess of 100,000 people a day.

"Next week we're going to an 11-day event in Westmoreland, Cumbria, to display our kites for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee."

Jim said the event in Northcliffe Park will be a one-day kite display featuring kites of varying sizes. It will also include a kite-marking workshop put on by the group.

Steve Bruzzese, chair of the Friends of Northcliffe, is excited the welcome the group's display on June 18.

"We feel privileged that they could come and give this big event," said Steve. "It's the first time we've done anything like this.

"We're looking forward to seeing all of the lovely kites flying above Shipley.

"Bradford Council have provided us with some of the funding to help us put this on, and that really nice of them," said Steve. "If it's successful, we're hoping to make it an annual event.

"We're not as big as some other parks in Bradford, but all you need for this is wind and wide open space so Northcliffe Park lends itself to the type of event.

"We're quite high up too, which is the perfect situation for kite flying. You should be able to see them around Shipley."