Bradford's city centre sculptures are in the national limelight after being picked out by English Heritage for its first pocket book companion on Britain's outdoor art.

The decision by Britain's biggest conservation body was described today by the Council's Executive Committee member for culture, heritage and leisure, Councillor Barry Thorne, as a massive fillip.

He said: "This has happened in the year we are preparing our bid to become Europe's Capital of Culture and it couldn't be better.

"Sometimes sculptures are controversial but our cities would be stark places without them."

Executive committee member for regeneration, Councillor Dave Green, said: "We have been working hard for the last few years to encourage public art and this is a testament to the efforts of the officers and private investors."

Bradford, Manchester and Sheffield are among nine cities around the country which will be featured in the Users Guide to Public sculpture.

Bradford's sculpture trail covers 28 sites, including the Fibres sculpture at St Blaise Square, which won an award from the national Civic Trust.

But the £20,000 sculpture by Ian Rendle which was unveiled in 1997 also sparked controversy when it was unveiled because some people said they did not know what it was.

The Homage to Delius leaves outside Bradford Crown Court in Exchange Square, has also won both praise and criticism since it was unveiled in 1993.

Sculptor Amber Hiscott chose half-decaying winter leaves to capture Bradford-born composer Frederick Delius's love of nature and the themes of life, death and regeneration which he often expressed in his music.

But the trail also reflects Bradford's heritage by including Queen Victoria Park, William Edward Forster, the 1902 Grandad's Clock and Chair in Little Germany, Sir Titus Salt in Lister Park, and the bronze figure of J B Priestley which stands outside the National Museum of Film, Photography and Television.

World famous contemporary sculptor Antony Gormley will launch English Heritage's Year of Public Sculpture next month.

The pocket book will include maps, details and anecdotes on the origin of each sculpture.

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