Posties in Bradford could soon be delivering mail to streets named after Charles Darwin, thanks to a Council competition.

The authority offered a prize to anyone who could think up appropriate names for new roads being built in the district.

Ilkley Civic Society member Helen Kidman won the prize for suggesting more than 40 names, all connected to the Ilkley area.

She suggested the names of key figures with local connections including scientist and author Charles Darwin who once stayed in the town.

Her suggestions also included writers GK Chesterton and Constance Hewitt, architects George Smith, Walter Brierley, TC Hope, Richard Norman Shaw and William Bakewell, and artist Arthur Kitching.

Another of her many road name suggestions was Cranbrook - after the hymn which lends its tune to On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At.

Mrs Kidman, who has lived in Ilkley for 12 years, said: "Some of my suggestions for new street names include field and place names of Ilkley that are no longer used.

"If revived, these may help raise awareness of Ilkley's long and interesting history.

"With members of Ilkley Civic Society, I am actively involved in researching the history of the town, especially its planning and growth."

Among other names which may be used are those of bird species found on Ilkley Moor, and she said Gooseacre and Thackray Close, based on old field names, would be good names for houses built on the Ilkley Middle School site in Valley Drive. A developer currently has a planning application in to build more than 90 homes on the site.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council's executive member for the environment, said: "Naming new roads is one of the Council's responsibilities and the entries will help us mark Bradford's many qualities in future developments.

"Helen's entry was very comprehensive and hopefully it will not be too long before we see some of her street names appear on signs."

Although the competition has now closed, Bradford Council is still keen to hear any more suggestions.

Anyone with ideas can post them to Head of Building Control, Jacob's Well, Bradford, BD1 5RW or e-mail them to sara.watson@bradford. gov.uk

The Council's head of building control John Gray promised: "Every entry we receive is going on a database of possible street names."