The BBC today unveiled its biggest hit this season - the people of Bradford.

With the final curtain about to fall on the corporation's Internet-based FutureWorld exhibition in the heart of the city, executives revealed that audience numbers had more than trebled their expectations.

Nearly 30,000 people a week have visited the free exhibition since it opened seven weeks ago. And the crowds have swelled visitor numbers for its host, the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television.

Among those at FutureWorld have been BBC director general Greg Dyke, and - on an unannounced and impromptu engagement - the Culture Secretary Chris Smith.

Exhibition manager Donald Bavister said: "The public response in Bradford has been tremendous. We have had around 153,000 visitors through our doors, and they have encompassed all the age groups."

On Monday, engineers will begin dismantling the exhibition and transporting it to its next port of call, Cardiff.

The operation will take two days and involve two lorries for the ten tons of technical equipment and another three for the scenery.

Bradford-born BBC presenter Lindsay Sutton said: "I'm delighted that we were able to launch FutureWorld in my home city.

"The National Museum of Photography, Film and Television has been the perfect venue and the staff have been perfect hosts. The exhibition fits the museum like a glove."

Yesterday, on the eve of Bradford City's crucial Premier Division clash with Newcastle, Mr Sutton treated visitors to rare archive footage of the occasion in 1911 when City took the FA Cup from Newcastle.

Visitors have also glimpsed the BBC's latest digital and Internet technology - and the exhibition has been home to many TV and radio programmes, including, on its launch weekend, a live transmission of Blue Peter.

FutureWorld in Bradford has also played host to the first leg on the BBC's nationwide talent trawl, with hundreds of hopefuls descending on the city for auditions.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.