The fight to keep a BBC base in Bradford has reached Parliament.

The broadcaster revealed it will close its Bradford operations at the National Media Museum in a cost-cutting cull and relinquish its control of the big screen in Centenary Square.

Last night, Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe tabled a Parliamentary motion urging a re-think, setting out the importance of the facility in covering local news across television, radio and the internet.

Bradford Council leader David Green branded the decision “short-sighted” and has written to the Director General, Lord Patten, and regional bosses.

Coun Green said: "It is ludicrous that the fourth biggest metropolitan council would not have a local media station based at its heart.

“When we consider the links with the museum and the growing media industry in the district, it is totally short-sighted.”