MORE than 8,000 people have signed petitions objecting to plans to move a renowned photography collection from Bradford to London.

At least three petitions have now been set up by people angry at the decision to move around 400,000 images and artefacts, including the world-renowned Royal Photographic Society collection, from the National Media Museum to the V&A museum in the capital.

One of the petitions was started by Bradford South MP Judith Cummins, who branded it a "stealth move to downgrade our National Media Museum".

Today, Bradford West MP Naz Shah was the latest prominent local politician to decry the "outrageous" decision to pull the collection out of Bradford.

She said: "Quite frankly, Bradford’s connection to film and photography makes this move an act of cultural vandalism and a betrayal of Bradford.

"It is not acceptable that the arts budget is overwhelmingly funding London museums and starving northern regions of funding for museums, culture and heritage.

"Moreover after our city’s struggle to save the museum this decision is and will be a detriment to the plans to Bradford’s attempt at regeneration."

She said she would be meeting with the museum's director, Jo Quinton-Tulloch, on Monday to discuss the situation.

Bradford Council's Conservative group leader, Councillor Simon Cooke, has already written a blistering open letter to the V&A, calling the move "an act of cultural rape on my city".

Bradford East MP Imran Hussain and the council's culture chief Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe also voiced their concerns this week.

All the photos earmarked for the move are currently in the Media Museum's archives and only available to view by appointment.

The decision to move them from Bradford to London was announced as the National Media Museum unveiled a new focus on science and technology.

As part of the agreement, the National Media Museum can continue to use the transferred collections for exhibitions.

Ninety per cent of its three million-strong collection of photos will remain in Bradford, including the Kodak collection, Daily Herald archive and the Impressions Gallery archive.

Miss Quinton-Tulloch said: "We will still focus on photographic technology and the cultural impact of photography, and we will also be retaining all photography that is relevant to Bradford and the region. That will all stay.

"The V&A have a much stronger remit around the arts and creative industries, so it's a natural fit, and we'll still be sharing collections and sharing expertise."

Today, a spokesman for the Media Museum said they would continue to meet with people to explain the reasons behind the decision.