In pictures: Bradford flower carpet uses 330,000 dahlias in UK first

Workers started laying more than 300,000 dahlias in Bradford’s Centenary Square at 6am on Thursday (September 24), in a huge public artwork which will be opened later.

The blooms for the internationally acclaimed project were grown and supplied by non-profit Tapis de fleurs de Bruxelles, which has organised the original Flower Carpet showpiece in Belgium for more than 50 years.

The Bradford artwork has been designed by local artist Shiraaz Ali, drawing inspiration from the city’s heritage and diverse communities.

It measures an impressive 29 metres (95ft) across and will be on public display for four days once finished.

Shiraaz told the BBC: “The design has been a wonderful process, starting at the museum, which explores Bradford's heritage and how the city has developed over time, and what makes it what it is today in 2026.

"The design is really geared at looking at the origin of Bradford and how it has developed as a textile city and its history, and its people who've made all the textiles. Thousands of people."

Once public viewing finishes, the dahlias will be taken away on Monday to be used for dye-making or composting by local horticultural groups.

Organisers say the event aims to create a lasting and environmentally friendly legacy for Bradford.