The country's only museum devoted to the struggle for peace is getting a global reputation.

The Peace Museum in Bradford is one of only a handful of such facilities in the world.

The collection is situated in the heart of Bradford but has garnered an international reputation through its outreach work with exhibits travelling as far afield as South Korea.

Museum Development officer Peter Nias explained the background to the project. He said: "In 1992 there was an international peace conference at Bradford University. During the course of this a recommendation was made that a peace museum should be established in the UK and that it should be in Bradford.

"A committee was set up to set the process going with both local and national representatives sitting on it and we have been here ever since. It is still the only museum of its kind in the UK and is run as an independent charitable trust managed by a board of trustees from across the city.

"Most of our work is outreach, which is almost the opposite of most traditional museums. We concentrate on sending things to schools, colleges, conferences, galleries and faith-based groups. One of our exhibits, on the Nobel Prize, went to South Korea at the request of the President."

Julie Obermeyer said: "We have sent exhibitions to Canada, Italy, Austria, Japan, Belgium and the Netherlands. All our exhibits are made up of panels which are flexible and can be easily assembled.

"We have an exhibit on Bradford and its historic and current role; one on women peacemakers; one on the Nobel Peace Prize, which was put together for its centenary; and another on the 20th Century from a peace perspective. We work with three definitions of Peace: Peace and war; community peace' and personal peace."

Mr Nias added: "We don't want to merely show the horrors of war, you can see that on TV every night. We are into ideas and that is how we structure the exhibits, positing questions and aiming to raise consciousness."

The museum also now has a permanent exhibition at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and is also inspiring similar projects around the world.

"I think we have influenced other organisations around the world," says Mr Nias. "Other people are talking on the idea and the more that happens the better.

"We have had many people come to the museum and say they wish to set up something similar in their own country; people from Angola, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique for instance.

"I think a major part of our work is also to highlight the work that has been and continues to be done in Bradford. That has been very well received. In conjunction with Bradford City for Peace we have introduced the Peace Trail with Blue plaques commemorating people who have made a significant contribution."

The museum currently has around 7,000 items and is always looking for donations of materials.

The museum in Piece Hall Yard is open to the public from 11am to 3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays or by appointment on (01274) 434009.

Copies of the Peace Guide Booklet are available at the Tourist Information Centre or from the museum.