A campaign to give power to the people of Bingley has started. Councillors in the town are urging voters to back a petition to create a separate council, which needs 1,250 signatures.

They feel the needs of Bingley are overlooked by Bradford Council and they want residents to have more power.

The new council would stretch from Ryecroft and Harden to Eldwick and be bounded by the bridges at Cottingley and Crossflatts.

Councillor Robin Owens (Con, Bingley) said: "Many organisations and the overwhelming majority of people are in favour. A town council would be for all of us and I want it to be truly representative of our district."

Petitions have been distributed to a range of shops and businesses across Bingley. At least 1,250 signatures are required on the petition which will then be sent to Bradford Council before a referendum could be held.

The Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott would then have responsibility for deciding whether or not to establish a new parish council for Bingley.

Councillor Colin Gill (Con, Bingley) said: "The petition asks for the granting of a parish council because that's how the law is worded but at its first meeting the new council could vote to become a town council.

"A Bingley town council would give everybody the opportunity to shape the future of our local area. We have got a town hall in Myrtle Park and it's time we started using it again."

Councillor David Heseltine (Con, Bingley) said: "Too many important decisions about Bingley are made by people in Bradford. The town council is not a party-political issue because it is about local democracy and the future we all share. We want people to have more of a say in Bingley's future."

Chairman of the Better Bingley Campaign Keith Yardley said: "We held a meeting to discuss this six months ago and we felt at the time that it could be a good idea.

"We have got some reservations about whether the people of Bingley would pay for improved services but on the whole we are open-minded and have felt that Bradford Council has neglected the needs of Bingley and its residents."

Pauline Woods, president of the Bingley Chamber of Commerce, also applauded the scheme.

She agreed Bradford Council had overlooked the needs of Bingley. "The Council is trying to improve Bingley town centre and bring in more tourists but we don't even have a toilet. A separate town council would be able to concentrate on the needs of the town because Bradford Metropolitan Council can't do it all," she said.

A spokesman for Bradford Council's democratic services department said: "More than ten per cent of the electorate must be in favour of a ballot being held on the proposal.

"Bradford Council would then consult on the proposal before sending a recommendation to the office of the deputy prime minister. A ballot was held in the case of Keighley Town Council."

The proposal will be discussed at the next Better Bingley meeting on Wednesday, at the town hall, from 7.30pm.