The search for Bradford's new £200,000-a-year chief executive has been delayed - because there have been so many people wanting it.

Around 80 application packs were sent out after the vacancy - to succeed Ian Stewart - was advertised.

The job attracted huge publicity after it was revealed the salary was £170,000 rising to a possible maximum of £200,000.

The huge response has led to a delay in drawing up the final shortlist which had been hoped to be complete by early this month.

The man handling the applications, head-hunter Brett Bull, said the candidates shortlisted so far were all men.

Four are, or have been, chief executives for local authorities and two have been senior managers in Government positions.

Mr Bull, of Oakleigh Corporate Enterprises in Manchester, said: "There was a huge amount of media interest and, as a result, a large amount of interest from applicants.

"We wrote to all chief executives and deputies in the country drawing the post to their attention and we are getting a strong shortlist together.

"The idea is to get as many as possible to the final stages to offer the best selection and competition.

"We have some very good candidates to look at. They are all male as things stand at the moment.

"There are a lot of women in senior positions in local authorities but it does still tend to be male dominated."

He has carried out the initial interviews and together with the Council's personnel department will draw up a final shortlist of names for the Council's selection panel made up of the three party leaders.

The panel is expected to meet in the next few weeks.

In the meantime acting chief executive Philip Robinson will stay at the helm.

A Bradford Council spokesperson, said: "Given the seniority and importance of this exciting and challenging job, recruitment was always going to be lengthy.

"But the level of interest in the post has made the process even longer than anticipated."

The spokesman added: "It is essential that we take the time to ensure that we employ the very best person for the job as this is what people in the district expect and deserve.

"We have sound transitional arrangements in place."