Heritage Lottery bosses have awarded Bradford more than £27 million since it first began helping 181 projects across the district to cherish the past, but there is “still lots more” to do, says the city’s culture chief Jane Glaister.

Miss Glaister, Bradford Council’s strategic director of culture, tourism and sport, was speaking at a conference in York today to mark the Heritage Lottery Funding’s 15th anniversary.

She was joined by others from the Yorkshire and the Humber heritage sector to discuss the importance heritage has in today’s society and what impact it can have on communities.

Miss Glaister told the conference that Bradford Council has had the pleasure of working in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund on “many varied and exciting projects”.

“Much has been done but there is lots still to do and I hope to see the HLF continue with its important programmes.

“We have much to learn from the past and how it informs our future. It is essential that people are able to access opportunities to become involved in such projects and that the impacts of such work are felt.”