A Yorkshire city famous for its curries is in hot water after its drainage system became polluted with spices.

An underground river which flows beneath Bradford has become stained yellow due to the turmeric and other curry spices washed into the system.

The city's ancient drains mean much of the stained and spicy water now ends up in Yorkshire's River Aire, sparking concern among locals.

Pictures from Bradford show the impact the city's curry houses are having on local streams

The city's ancient drainage systems means water used to wash plates is getting into rivers

The issue was highlighted in an annual report by the group Friends of Bradford Beck, leading to an investigation by the Environment Agency.

Rob Hellawell, 49, said the city's many curry houses were not breaking any rules and were unaware the impact the spices were having on the streams.

He said: 'The old systems, at the time of the Industrial Revolution, saw businesses dump straight into the public watercourse.

'Nowadays there are a lot of new extensions built where washing machines are plumbed into the drains rather than the foul sewerage system.

'Builders see a drain and connect to it, without realising what it is.'

A local group highlighted the problem and says curry houses have responded to the issue

Mr Hellawell said restaurants had taken action since the problem was highlighted, improving the quality of the water.

Bradford boasts 200 Indian and Asian restaurants and has scooped the Curry Capital of Britain award six times.

The large Asian population of the city is down to the demand for immigrants during the Industrial Revolution when the textile industry was thriving and Bradford needed more manpower.