Yorkshire museums under threat

Bradford's MPs will today raise the possible closure of the city's media museum in Parliament. The attraction is one of three museums under-threat if government cuts go ahead.

The campaign to save Bradford's under-threat media museum stepped up today with a demonstration outside the attraction. It's one of three which could have to close because of government cuts to their budget.

Already hundreds of people have signed a petition against it's closure, and today two of the city's MPs came out to encourage more people to sign up. Michael Billington reports.

Bradford MPs Gerry Sutcliffe and George Galloway address the crowds at a rally held in support of keeping the National Media Museum open. With them is Bradford Council leader, councillor David Green.

Supporters of the closure-threatened National Media Museum gathered in Bradford to launch their "I love NMM" campaign. Around a hundred people took part in a rally organised by Bradford West Respect MP George Galloway.

Campaigners are gathering in Bradford this morning in the fight to save the National Media Museum.

Earlier this week it was revealed that either the media museum, York's Railway museum, or the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester would "almost certainly" have to close if budget cuts go ahead.

It's feared the Chancellor could announce a 10% cut to the funding of the Science Museum Group, the group which runs the three attractions, when he announces the results of the comprehensive spending review later this month.

Thousands of people have pledged their support for campaigns to keep two of the region's national museums open. It's feared that either the Media Museum in Bradford or the National Railway Museum in York could close because of government spending cuts.

A big protest is planned in Bradford tomorrow - and people are being urged to show their support by visiting the attractions. Chris Kiddey reports.

Following the announcement that York’s National Railway Museum could face closure due to cutbacks across all government departments, Julian Sturdy, the MP for York Outer, has added to the calls for a parliamentary debate on the importance of museums in protecting our culture and heritage.

Speaking in the House of Commons , the Conservative MP said: “May I add my voice to the call for a debate on the importance of local museums and the way in which they protect our culture and heritage for future generations? An example is the fantastic National Railway Museum in York._

"I visited the museum many times as a young boy. I now have the pleasure of taking my young children there, and I know how important that museum is to York’s DNA.”_ _

Mr Sturdy has vowed to do all he can to prevent the Museum from being closed. He will be writing to Ed Vaizey MP, the Minister responsible for Museums at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to reiterate how important the Museum is to York and the very strong case for keeping it open.

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People are being urged to descend on Bradford city centre tomorrow in their masses at midday to show their support for the battle to prevent the closure of the National Media Museum.

A public rally being organised by Bradford West MP George Galloway as part of the campaign is expected to attract hundreds outside the museum.**

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The leaders of all parties on York City Council have written to the Culture Secretary to plead their case to secure the future of the city's National Railway Museum.

It is one of three museums, including Bradford's media museum, which are under threat of closure if government cuts to their budget are confirmed.