Bradford is in danger of being “swallowed up” by the encircling wings of Leeds, a civic guardian warned today.

Alan Hall, chairman of Bradford Civic Society, said it was about time Bradford started banging its own drum about assets such as the World Heritage Site of Saltaire and the city’s designation as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film.

But the 64-year-old said he was increasingly concerned about the Leeds brand popping up more in the Bradford district, notably when he attended the recent Bradford district regeneration conference at Leeds City College in Keighley.

Mr Hall said: “There we were in Keighley, but in ‘Leeds City College.’ And although it was the Bradford district regeneration conference, a lot of the talk was about the ‘Leeds City Region.’ “Then someone reminded me that our World Heritage Site at Saltaire figures in some Leeds tourist sites as a ‘Leeds attraction.’ Mr Hall also added the destination boards at many airports just displayed the word Leeds, with no mention of Bradford.

He said: “I am not saying we should declare war on Leeds or anything as silly as that, but it’s about time Bradford started making more of a point. At the moment, it seems that we are being swallowed up by Leeds.

“I can understand the concept of the Leeds City Region and can accept the fact Leeds is an important regional centre, but Bradford should not be an afterthought.

“There’s scope for the city as a whole to make more of a statement. For example, I don’t think we do enough about being the City of Film.”

Councillor David Green said a lot of work was being done to promote Bradford, but accepted more could be done.