The West Yorkshire city of Leeds has existed since the 5th century - but it really expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries when it became a centre for the area’s thriving wool trade.

As the Industrial Revolution took hold, Leeds became home to many mills, and the population continued to grow rapidly as people moved to the city for employment - today the city is home to 474,000 people.

Leeds continues to be a centre for employment - it’s one of the UKs largest financial centres outside London and is home to more than 30 banks. The city is also the third largest centre for manufacturing, with 39,000 people employed by 1,800 companies in sectors such as printing and engineering.

Visitors to Leeds are spoiled for choice, with many world-class attractions to choose from:

The Royal Armouries Museum - which houses the national collection of arms and armour from around the world and across time.

Temple Newsam, Kirkstall Abbey, the Thackray Medical Museum and Roundhay Park are also well worth visiting.

Shoppers are very well catered for with lots of shopping centres to choose from including the Merrion Centre, The Core, the Victoria Quarter, Trinity Leeds, and more.