Yorkshire's leading cities today told Bradford: "We're backing your European Capital of Culture bid".

Leeds, York, Sheffield and Hull have all said they will support Bradford's campaign to win the prestigious title.

The good-luck messages came as a Government minister said the region's backing could be the key to the bid's success.

Dr Kim Howells MP, Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting, was in Bradford to address the annual Yorkshire Tourism Conference yesterday.

He said: "I think regional support is very important. If it is not there then the region does not deserve the title to come here.

"Looking at successful bids in the past, they have been where there has been a real concerted effort to get behind the city.

"In Barcelona's case, it rediscovered the link between the city and the region around it. The bid strengthened tourism very significantly in the region as a result."

Today representatives from across Yorkshire rallied behind the bid.

Councillor David Gemmell, chairman of the Yorkshire Tourist Board, said the bid was "good for the whole region". "The tourist board will work with Bradford and offer any expertise that we have, and we will spread the word with other organisations to get them on board," he said.

Councillor Rod Hills, leader of York City Council, said he would like to see the title come to Yorkshire.

"I think it would be good for Bradford given the hard times that people in the city have been going through recently," he said.

A spokesman for Leeds City Council said it would also be backing the bid.

"We wish Bradford well in its effort to become the European Capital of Culture," he said.

Councillor Peter Moore, leader of Sheffield City Council, said he was keen for Yorkshire cities to work together to win the title for Brad-ford. "I do not buy into this idea of rivalry between cities because what is good for Bradford should be good for Sheffield," he said.

Paul Brookes, chairman of Bradford's Capital of Culture Partnership Board, said he was contacting the chief executives of all local authorities in Yorkshire to rally their support for the bid.

"If Bradford is successful then it will deliver a large number of visitors to the city and they will not just come to Bradford," he said.

"It would be good for visitors, for people within the region and for businesses and investment."

Mr Brookes said he is confident of winning the backing of other cities such as Leeds, York and Sheffield - all of which considered competing for the title themselves.