Textiles are in Bradford's blood. Not just historically. But as part of the here and now. And the city's textile designers amount to a powerhouse of talent which can still make its mark.

A new exhibition Design for Living: Contemporary Textiles from Yorkshire celebrates the work of the area's new breed of designers, many of them recent graduates from Bradford College.

More than thirty designers are involved in the exhibition, which runs at Bradford's Industrial Museum in Eccleshill until September 12.

Also contributing to the exhibition are members of the West Riding Ruggers, Textilia III, the West Yorkshire textile art group and the Bradford and District Guild of Handspinners, Weavers and Dyers.

Rugs, throws, wall hangings, vessels and bowls, scarves and brooches are all included. There are fabrics which dissolve in water. And there are materials knitted from copper wire.

The fabric designs are displayed so that they suggest how they may be used in the home.

The exhibition uses three room settings - a lounge, bedroom and dining room. They have borrowed sturdy pieces of museum furniture including a 19th Century wardrobe made by Christopher Pratt of Bradford.

The textiles have all been arranged according to colour, creating interiors in soft neutrals, warm reds, oranges and pinks and an area for cool blues.

Andrea Wilde, a tutor on the Bradford College textile course said graduates went on to a range of jobs in Yorkshire, London and even New York.

"There are all sorts of successes. There are designer-makers who've set up their own businesses. Some go into teaching and some go into industry as designers."

Ms Wilde, who used to design fabrics for Debenhams and one of Marks & Spencer's suppliers, moved to Bradford College from London four years ago.

"It's getting increasingly difficult to find the students placements in the Bradford area," added Ms Wilde. "There are few places to take students on trips or to go and work.

"It's not that it's negative, it's just they have to look further afield. But the heritage of textile is still so strong in Bradford, it oozes out of everything.

Over the months other designs from the Bradford College courses will be added to refresh the exhibition.

Jenny Simmonds, the museum's education officer said the exhibition was aimed at a varied audience. "The approach we've taken with the exhibition is to put in something for everybody.

"The whole ethos of the museum is to aim at all ages from early years to those involved in life-long learning.