BRADFORD'S National Media Museum is now thriving and is to get £1.5 million to create a new 'world-class' interactive science gallery, the Government's Culture Minister has confirmed.

The flagship attraction, described as a "cultural treasure" by one Bradford MP in the House of Commons yesterday, reported an increase in visitor numbers of nearly 30 per cent this summer, compared with the same three-month period in 2014.

And Bradford Council's culture chief said the museum, threatened with closure only two years ago, was an "important asset" for the city centre, and described the latest visitor figures as "really promising".

The museum said its Light Fantastic season of events - featuring exhibits exploring the wonder of creating and capturing light - had proved a major hit with families over the summer holiday.

The activities were visited by 126,000 people during July, August, and September, a 28 per cent increase in visitor numbers over the previous summer.

In June 2013, the NMM's future was placed in doubt when Ian Blatchford, director of the Science Museum Group, the venue's parent organisation, said it could be earmarked for closure.

Its reprieve was secured following a huge public outcry, including a Telegraph & Argus campaign, and a new five-year masterplan was drawn up and accepted by trustees of the group in December that year.

The NMM received a £2m cash injection - £1m from Bradford Council and £1m from the Science Museum Group - in September last year, and its cinema re-opened last month after a £780,000 investment in a new IMAX screen.

In the House of Commons yesterday, Judith Cummins, Labour MP for Bradford South, pressed Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy, over the long-term future of the museum, and whether he could guarantee it would retain its free-entry policy.

In response, Mr Vaizey said: "I am happy to give that assurance.

"I am also happy to note that the National Media Museum has through the new Treasury loans scheme refurbished its IMAX theatre and partnered with Picturehouse.

"The Science Museum is planning to put £1.5m of its own money into launching a free science Launchpad, and a new marketing drive saw admissions rise over the summer.

"It is thriving."

A spokesman for the NMM confirmed that the £1.5m investment was for a new science gallery, and its director, Jo Quinton-Tulloch, said Ab Rogers Design (ARD) had now been appointed as architect on the project.

"This new space will provide an inspiring, hands-on, and highly immersive environment, encouraging both children and adults to explore the science behind light, sound and perception," she said.

"Drawing on the science and technology of the still and moving image, this gallery will give a greater understanding of light and sound within the context of the National Collections of photography, film and television, and their impact on our daily lives.

"ARD have been selected for their vision in helping us create this world-class, cohesive museum experience, and their previous work on similar projects both in the UK and abroad, including for the Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the Science Museum in London.

"ARD demonstrated an exceptional understanding of our project’s ambition, providing a design concept that both excited and inspired us."

Last night, Mrs Cummins told the T&A: "I am proud of the National Media Museum, and described it as one of Bradford’s cultural treasures.

"Given the importance of the Media Museum to Bradford, I was delighted to receive assurances from the Minister, both about keeping the museum here in Bradford and, importantly, keeping the entry free.

"Over the years the free-entry policy has allowed thousands of families to access a much-loved museum and cultural activities they would not otherwise enjoy.

"The museum has worked hard to increase visitor numbers, so the assurances about its future is great news."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for culture on Bradford Council, added: "The latest visitor numbers at the museum are really promising, and I hope they signal a continuing positive upward trend.

"There's every reason to believe so with the new investment in the IMAX also coming on-stream and two big blockbuster films just round the corner.

"Of course there is still more investment to come with the new science gallery.

"The museum is an important asset, not just for the city centre but for the district as a whole, so these latest figures represent good news."

Next week’s half-term holiday will be the last opportunity to visit Light Fantastic, which features the multi-coloured Additive Mix artwork by Liz West, and spectacular live light and sound show from artists David Birchall and Vicky Clarke, before the season comes to an end on Sunday, November 1.

Other new half-term activities include a partnership with The Big Draw, the world’s biggest drawing festival, and a BAFTA Kids Live event.

Michael Terwey, head of collections and exhibitions at the NMM, said: "It is great to see that all the hard work we put into our summer events proved popular with visitors, and we hope that trend continues throughout next week’s half-term."