A BRADFORD MP and some councillors have criticised the transfer of 400,000 photographs from the National Media Museum to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

An online petition has also started called Stop the Cultural Asset Stripping of the NMM.

It has been posted on the 38 Degrees campaign website and contains an open letter of protest to the V&A Museum and Culture Secretary John Whittingdale.

And in an open letter to the V&A, Councillor Simon Cooke, Bradford's Conservative group leader, said: "This is an appalling act of cultural vandalism.

"I know London is a big, grand and fantastic city but to denude my city of these photographs reminds us that you - all the V&A's trustees are based in London, many will never have visited Bradford - care not one jot for our heritage and history."

The NMM said the move reinforced its shifting focus on STEM - science, technology, engineering and maths - heralded by a new £1.5 million interactive and sound gallery, due to open in March 2017.

As part of the new deal, it will still have access to the transferred collections for exhibitions and scholarships.

Bradford South Labour MP Judith Cummins, who is among the protesters, said: "This is a big blow to Bradford.

"This is not good enough. I don't think it should be shipped off to London at all. I'm really annoyed about this.

"Bradford is a city that has a cultural offer and people need to understand its rich, cultural heritage.

"This moves shows there is a lack of understanding on this issue."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for education, skills and culture, said the move was another example of the Government not supporting investment in Bradford.

She said: "While I understand why they have to re-focus on the science agenda to attract funding, I profoundly regret the loss of the collection to Bradford.

"We have a strong history of photography in the city and if there's investment going into the V&A, then why don't we see the same opportunity in Bradford?"

Cllr Ishtiaq Ahmed (Bradford Independent Group, Manningham), said: "We are now seeing lots of funding for arts and culture go to London.

"Cities like Bradford are now seen as secondary and peripheral. The people of Bradford also need to have a say on this."

A NMM spokesman said: "We are working hard to speak to stakeholders and people in Bradford about the new direction we are taking, which is focused on using our collections of photography, cinematography and television to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

"We have spoken directly to some of the people who have voiced concerns and will continue those conversations over the coming days.

"Our first priority is to make sure we have clearly communicated the vision for the museum, which we believe means it has a bright, sustainable future.

"It doesn't mean everyone will agree with everything we do, but we do want to make sure we've given them the full picture."

Meanwhile, the Impressions Gallery has confirmed its archive of more than 3,000 artworks and objects, will be staying in Bradford.

Impressions Gallery director Anne McNeill said: "It has always been important to us that our archive remains as a key resource for photography research in the north of England.

"The decision to move part of the National Photography Collection to the V&A is just another example of national resources being taken from the regions and going to the capital."