Members of a new heritage group are appealing for Bradfordians' memories as part of their studies into the rich history of the city's college.

Staff at Bradford College are investigating the story behind its buildings and are already looking into restoring the Main Hall, in Old Building in Great Horton Road, to its former glory.

So far a lot of details have been collated charting the history of the college, which was opened as a Technical School in 1882 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

Group chairman Rose Kane, the college's network and web services manager, said the major event was marked by a celebration of "all things Bradford" in the Old Building.

"Grand reception rooms were furnished with damasks and other materials created by the district's mills," she said. "A museum marking the district's strong textile and science links was opened upstairs."

This information was charted in the Bradford Observer and the Bradford Daily Telegraph, which later became the Telegraph & Argus, and there were no details about the grand Main Hall which is now used as a lecture theatre.

"The hall is desperately in need of some restoration work but we have no details about the colours or the decor and this is one of the areas we would like to know more about," said Miss Kane.

"It has a lot of potential uses and could be a valuable part of the college, possibly for musical events and celebrations."

The group has set up a website which includes pioneers in education from Bradford, the history of the college and a variety of modern and old photographs, and people's memories of their school days.

Research into Bolton Royd, in Manningham Lane, was carried out by retired lecturer Colin Sutton, estates manager Peter Steward, and Sarah Greenwood, who is head of adult and community education at the centre.

The team discovered a detailed history of the distinctive building, which was in 1832 as the Mechanics Institute just one of four in Manningham Lane.

It had numerous owners, including the Horsfall brothers who ran a large mill in the city, before becoming part of the college.

And Joseph Nutter house, in Cousen Road, Great Horton, which was built as a boys' orphanage for boys, is now adult and community education centre for Bradford South.

"It is fascinating looking back and finding out about what the buildings were used for. The college has been a part of Bradford's history for so long, and has touched on people's lives in many ways," said Miss Kane.

The group's research can be found on the college website at www.bradfordcollege. ac.uk under the In Touch with History section.

Anyone who has any history about the college's background can contact Miss Kane via e-mail on r.kane@bilk.ac.uk