A key figure in Bradford's theatre life has scooped a top job with the National Student Drama Festival - and has pledged to promote Bradford.

Andrew Loretto is the Fellow in Theatre at Bradford University's acclaimed Theatre in the Mill.

Now the 31-year-old will become director of the National Student Drama Festival, unique to Britain. Hailing from aptly-named Holywood (pronounced Holly-wood) near Belfast, he is set for the big time.

"I hope to have raised the profile of the venue both locally and nationally over the last four years," said Mr Loretto.

"Coming from Ireland, and having worked in Scotland, Wales and London, I have brought greater diversity of national artists here."

Bradford was his first taste of working in England.

"As a Celt, Yorkshire is not a bad place to be," he said. "I do like this part of the world. It is lovely and also central.

"I want to carry on living in Bradford. My new job will take me all over the country, visiting artists and giving workshops.

"My time in Bradford will stand me in good stead. It has been a steep learning curve and the cultural diversity has been exciting.

"I am keen to profile Bradford practitioners in the festival.

"It is up to us to do what we can to raise the profile of artwork in the city."

The climax of his career was a New Writing Festival last spring which brought young writers and directors to Bradford from across the British Isles.

"That was tremendously exciting for me," he said.

His impending departure sparked fears that the theatre would be axed.

But the university insists it has a "long-term commitment to the arts" although its merger with Bradford College in August 2004 means that all aspects of the university will be under review.

After he officially leaves in April, Mr Loretto will stay on to direct a piece of theatre in Lister Park for the Bradford Festival.