The plight of Bradford Reform Synagogue which cannot afford to keep its Grade II listed building has reached the House of Commons.

The congregation of the synagogue in Bowland Street, Manningham, have reluctantly agreed to sell its building as “a very last resort”.

The proposal was supported at an emergency general meeting, despite opposition from within the 35-member shul, or council.

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh tabled a Commons motion congratulating the synagogue on securing the Grade II listing and outlining its history and its difficulties. Mr Singh said: “I want to support the community in any way I can and make sure we can support the building.

“It has great history and it means a lot to the Jewish community in Bradford and surrounding areas.

“It is amazing architecturally. It was built by German immigrants in 1881 and is Yorkshire’s oldest purpose-built synagogue.

“It has made a great contribution to the life of Bradford during the past 130 years and it is very regretful the local Jewish community no longer have the resources to maintain it. I truly hope that means can be found to keep it in use for future generation.”

Rudi Leavor, the synagogue’s chairman and treasurer, who has attended services there since 1955, said: “We have fewer and fewer members and therefore less and less finance available.

“If the building were to be sold then we would have to have services in rented accommodation. Closure is not imminent as even selling it in the best of circumstances will take a long time.

“The process of selling a Grade II listed building is complicated.”