Bradford missed out on being crowned Britain's curry capital - because the Council ignored a request from the judges to explain why it deserved the title.

Bosses from four of the district's leading curry houses were left stunned when the city was named runner-up to Glasgow in the 13-strong annual contest.

But that turned to anger when it emerged Bradford Council had failed to respond to the organisers' request for a short submission to back-up the bid.

Peter Grove, editor of the Real Curry Restaurant Guide and organiser of the event, said Bradford seemed a certain victor if the Council had put the city's case.

And today Councillor Simon Cooke admitted the council had failed to back the bid, but vowed it would support the bid next year.

The submission - only one or two pages in length - counted for 50 per cent of the overall mark. It was the third successive year Bradford has finished second.

"The restaurants put together a very good case for Bradford and if the Council had shown its support, I am sure Bradford would have done even better," said Mr Grove.

"The councils from the other leading cities all submitted a response to say why they should be curry capital. It is really nothing more than a PR exercise."

Mr Grove said the organisers began by writing to Council leader Margaret Eaton but the inquiry was then passed round several departments.

"No-one seemed to take any responsibility and that was the problem," he said. "We can only go so far, but we sent a reminder once a month for six months, but still there was nothing.

"It surprised me because Bradford is very proud of its curry heritage and it is a particular shame when the restaurants had tried so hard. It is supposed to be a good news thing, yet the Council appear not to be bothered."

Bradford has never won the event - dubbed the Oscars of the curry industry - since the awards began three years ago. The Council was also criticised two years ago for failing to back the bid.

Mohammed Aslam, managing director of the Shipley-based Aagrah restaurant which won the "best chain" award said he was "very, very disappointed" by the Council's lack of support.

"At the very least someone should have replied to their correspondence," he said. "The other cities have entered and presented their case. When the result was announced, Glasgow reacted as though they had won the World Cup."

Mohammed Rafiq, a partner at Kiplings curry house in Apperley Bridge, was at the ceremony at London's Hilton Olympia hotel to pick up his restaurant's award for being third in the customer-judged category. Akbars, based in Leeds Road, and Cleckheaton restaurant The Akash were also representing Bradford following a public vote.

Mr Rafiq was "gutted" Bradford was denied its "rightful title" again.

"The restaurants and the public have done so much to put Bradford on the map, only to find out they would have won if only the council had sent this document in," he said.

Councillor Simon Cooke, Bradford Council's executive member for corporate and regeneration, admitted more could have been done to support the city's representatives.

He said: "I can see how it happened, the wording of the contest was ambiguous and confusing but yes, we didn't do the submission.

"But the inference from the judge was that if we had, then we would have won, so we will learn from that and win it next year."

"Bradford has a long-standing reputation for excellent curries and we applaud what these four top quality restaurants have achieved," he said.

"Although we have continued to promote Bradford curries as one of the attractions of our district, we're aware that this year's winner, Glasgow, has done more work on promoting their ethnic cuisine."