The leader of Bradford Council's Liberal Democrats group has described talks with some leading politicians on the future of the authority as "like negotiating in a sea of fog".

Councillor Jeanette Sunderland said she had received no response yet from Labour and the Greens to the Liberal Democrats' proposed list of priorities for the hung Council.

The Liberal Democrats group - with 14 seats - has the balance of power in the deadlocked Council where the Tory and Labour groups each hold 36 seats. There are also three Green councillors and one Independent.

Last year Tory group leader, Councillor Margaret Eaton, became the Council leader with the support of the Liberal Democrats. Coun Eaton said today the Liberal Democrats' priorities had been discussed at a Tory group meeting last night and there were no major issues of contention.

"We all support the major issues but there is the fine detail on costings. We can work towards a positive way forward," she said.

Talks will now take place on the Council leadership but, so far, Coun Sunderland has not indicated whether her relationship with the Tories will continue this year.

Labour group leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said he had not contacted Coun Sunderland because the Telegraph & Argus had received the list of Liberal Democrats' priorities before him.

"If she wants to talk to me she can pick up the phone," he said.

Councillor David Ford (Green, Shipley West) said his group would be formally discussing the list put forward by the Liberal Democrats. But Coun Sunderland said: "The Liberal Democrats have made their position clear. In order to negotiate you have to have something to negotiate on.

''I haven't even had a copy of a manifesto from the some of the other groups. No-one has responded at all.

"It has been like negotiating in a sea of fog."

Liberal Democrats councillors want education and the Council's three-year financial strategy kept as main priorities. The group also wants free entry to sport and leisure facilities for under 16s and an all-party executive.

Once the Council leadership is decided leading councillors will be allocated portfolios dealing with issues including education, regeneration, housing and the environment.