Out of focus

Its decline since the glory days of the woollen industry has been long and painful, culminating with the riots of 2001 and, most pressingly today, the scandalous failure to regenerate its city centre which remains an open and very visible sore. The city's difficulties cast a pall over the area and masks the very many great things that Bradford has going for it.

It is one of the youngest cities in the country with both outstanding architecture and some of England's finest countryside nearby.

Its biggest success in rebranding its image remains the world-class National Media Museum.

The decision by UNESCO to name Bradford the world's first City of Film, ahead of Los Angeles, London, Mumbai or Cannes, was a huge coup.

It is a major concern, therefore, that funding to promote Bradford's film industry could now be threatened by the Government's austerity programme.

Already plans for the project have been scaled down and council funding could be scrapped altogether, raising fears the impressive title could be little more than a name only. This will hamper Bradford's efforts to develop the unique profile, and opportunity, offered by this prestigious award.

It is why Ministers must take care to spare funding for forward-thinking, innovative ventures, particularly in areas like Bradford which desperately need inward investment to counter public sector cuts.

Ministers got off to a bad start in Yorkshire by withdrawing vital support for Sheffield Forgemasters. They must not repeat

that mistake.