A PARTNER is being sought by Bradford Police Museum to help it preserve its historic vehicles.

The museum, based at City Hall, is asking businesses and individuals across the district to sponsor its classic police vehicle collection so they remain in perfect condition for generations to come.

The vehicles include one of the first Austin Metros to come off the production line in 1980 and a 1960 Ford Consul police car as well as five motorcycles dating back to the 1960s '70s and '80s.

The two cars and a Velocette LE police motorcycle were some of the highlights of the recent classic car show at Centenary Square.

The museum has a further four police motor cycles including a Honda, two BMWs and a Norton.

Martin Baines director of the museum said: “The historic police vehicle collection is a wonderful addition to our museum, but clearly there are costs involved in ensuring the cars and bikes are fully maintained and available to the public.

"We need to meet the costs of storage, insurance, maintenance, and transport for the historic vehicle collection.

"Therefore, in order to make sure that the public can see the collection we are looking for a partner who would be willing to sponsor the collection.

"In addition to supporting the museum a sponsorship agreement would have benefits to the sponsor through advertising opportunities and private access to the collection.”

The Bradford Police Museum is a registered charity and a member of the Association of Independent Museums. It is run and operated by a team of enthusiastic volunteers.

Since opening in 2015 the museum has gone from strength to strength and has become a popular venue for tourists and visitors.

Currently open on Fridays and Saturdays each week the museum also opens by arrangements for groups from across the district.

It provides a unique insight into the history of policing, criminal justice, civic enforcement and the development of crime and punishment in Bradford from the early 19th century onwards.

The museum is situated on the site of the original 19th century police station in City Hall which was operational between 1874 and 1974.

The museum gallery covers the history of policing from the inception of the Bradford Borough Police force in 1848 right up to the present day.

Visits to the museum include guided tours of the original Victorian cells and court built in 1873 which formed part of the original police station.

Visitors can stand in the police cell that the famous escapologist Harry Houdini escaped from in the early years of the 20th century, and then climb up the dock steps to the beautifully preserved Victorian court room used for filming by TV and film productions (including Coronation Street).

Artefacts include Victorian police truncheons, uniforms, swords, weapons, memorabilia, crime scene exhibits and unique photographs covering 150 years of policing in the city.

Much of the collection has never been seen by the public before.

The museum is managed by local registered charity 'Under the Clock Bradford'.

The museum will be open every Friday 11am to 3pm (last entry at 2.15pm) and every Saturday 12pm to 4pm (last entry at 3.15pm).

Regular updates are made on Facebook and Twitter.

For further details telephone 01274 510245 mobile 07798 518035 or by email: info@bradfordpolicemuseum.com