Bradford's Central Library could be demolished and replaced with a state-of-the-art complex linked to the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television.

The outdated 1960s library building would be replaced by a futuristic complex combining the latest information technology with traditional book-lending library services.

The ambitious plans are being drawn up by Bradford Council, the University of Bradford and the NMPFT in what would be the first scheme of its type in Britain.

It would also have a digital technology centre to be used for training, learning and research in creative industries. Its aim would be to keep talented people, including students from the University, in the district.

An application for £40,000 funding to carry out a feasibility study for the project has now been submitted to Government regeneration agency Yorkshire Forward.

The Central Library was opened in 1967, but it has aged badly. The lifts would cost £250,000 to replace, its air conditioning is now inadequate and its original oil fired boiler is expensive to run.

It has also suffered a huge slump in borrowing compared with other libraries across the country.

Council officers say it would mean "ripping the guts" out of the building to bring it up to modern standards.

The plans involve replacing it with what is described as an "iconic" building linked to the museum. It will house a digital media centre to provide a "dedicated area bringing together a range of creative industries".

The proposals are likely to be part of a master plan for the city which is being drawn up by Bradford's newly-formed Urban Regeneration Company.

Today, Ian Watson, head of Bradford Council's libraries, archives and information, said: "This scheme would be unique because it would be the first time a museum, a council and a University have joined to do a project like this."

A spokesman at the NMPFT said: "We have very good links with the University and the library and would be very supportive of any culture and information development in the city."

The application to Yorkshire Forward to fund the feasibility study comes as a report by Council officers earlier this month revealed that the district's libraries are ailing and starved of funds.

The report showed that borrowing fell by 53 per cent between 1992 and last year while it only dropped nationally by 25 per cent.

In the year ending last March last year 1.9 million items were borrowed from the district's library, with the highest number - 370,000 - from the Central Library.

The previous year people borrowed 2.24 million items including 437,000 from Central Library. Poor book stocks are the main reason given for the decline and a report on the Council's libraries service earlier this month pointed out that Bradford is consistently one of the bottom three metropolitan authorities in terms of spending on books.