Bradford is gearing up for its biggest party in years.

Pop chart-topper Gareth Gates is returning to the city for an official homecoming gig on Sunday and more than 15,000 fans are expected to give him a reception to remember.

Today organisers revealed how they intend to cope with the influx of fans expected to converge on Centenary Square in the city centre.

Bradford Council will stage a "major security operation" to ensure the free gig, which will follow Gareth's official civic reception in City Hall, goes smoothly.

The roads around Centenary Square will be closed, buses will be re-routed, and more than 150 stewards have been drafted in to cope with the large numbers of fans.

To accommodate the crowd, Bridge Street and Market Street will be closed and fans will be able to watch the concert from those areas.

The closures, which also affect Sunbridge Road, Broadway, Bank Street, Norfolk Gardens, and Channing Way, will be put in place from 2pm on Sunday.

The concert kicks off in Centenary Square at 4pm, with Gareth performing on a stage in front of City Hall. The concert will be relayed on a giant screen.

Today Gareth's mum Wendy said she was looking forward to the event, which will also star her daughter Nicola.

"It is so good of Bradford to give Gareth this special homecoming," she said. "It's just lovely that they could do something like this for him because there are so many people who want to see him perform in the city.

"Hopefully there will be a massive crowd to greet him."

Bradford Lord Mayor Councillor Richard Wightman said the event would be a huge boost to the district's hope of becoming European Capital of Culture 2008.

"This will be a great day," he said. "I am really looking forward to welcoming this young Bradfordian who has taken the name of the district so far and I am also delighted that he is supporting our Capital of Culture bid."

A police spokesman said: "We have been working with the Council in preparation for Gareth Gates' visit and all necessary contingencies will be in place.

"Due to the large amount of people expected, if you are coming to the show in private vehicles please use city centre car parks and walk into the square or use public transport."

A spokesman for bus company First Bradford said bus routes would be affected and passengers were advised to use the Interchange rather than other stops.

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