The tourism industry, despite the fact that mention of it in the same phrase as the name of Bradford still raises eyebrows in many places south of Doncaster, has been a tremendous boon for the district. There is no doubt that it continues to thrive, as the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television's record one million visitors last year clearly demonstrated.

It is largely thanks to that hugely-successful institution, as well as to some smaller ones such as the Industrial Museum, the Colour Museum and the close proximity to "Bronte Country", that Bradford has found a place on the map as a tourist destination for those in the know.

But the district still needs to widen its tourist appeal and its tourist "offer" and needs to find fresh ways of attracting visitors and keeping them in the city longer, to the obvious benefit of the local economy.

So the suggestion from the Manningham Mills Community Association that the Victoria & Albert Museum should look again at the possibility of bringing its South Asia Collection to Bradford is a welcome one.

The current plan by Urban Splash to regenerate Manningham Mills is bold and imaginative. Capturing such an important collection would give it a major kick-start and would give enormous encouragement to external organisations such as Yorkshire Forward and English Heritage to support the redevelopment.

We would urge Urban Splash and Bradford Council to team up with the Community Association to make an approach at the highest level to the V&A.