A Bradford MP has launched a search for an innovative local manufacturer to be featured in a 21st century version of the Great Exhibition of 1851.

David Ward, Liberal Democrat MP for Bradford East, is supporting a cross-party campaign to champion UK manufacturing which the Coalition sees as crucial to an economic recovery.

MPs are nominating one product from their area to be entered into a high-profile exhibition of manufacturing.

Products will go on display in London, around the country and online next year to use the opportunity offered by the London 2012 Olympics to raise the profile of British manufacturers.

The MPs have been inspired by their predecessors who supported Prince Albert’s Great Exhibition of 1851, which showed thousands of examples of manufacturing and design. Crystal Palace was built to house the six-month exhibition in London’s Hyde Park.

The scale of the 2012 exhibition will be more modest, but Mr Ward said: “We are seeing a manufacturing renaissance in Britain, with manufacturing growing three times faster than the rest of the economy.

“This needs to continue if we are to succeed in re-balancing away from financial services and the South East.

“Bradford has a proud manufacturing heritage and there are lots of fantastic products made here today.

Products should be nominated by mid-April by calling David Ward’s office on (01274) 403973 or writing to 458 Killinghall Road, Bradford, BD2 4SL.

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