The major international operators who won the contract to produce Bradford Festival have been asked to make "significant improvements", particularly to the Mela.

A report out today says the Mela, which is the highlight of the festival, did not meet the expectations of a large number of people who wrote to the Council afterwards.

They complained it was a shadow of its former self, claiming there were too few events for children and too few community stalls, poor food choice and no local food, and that charges for stalls were too high. But the company has also been praised for the festival - which it had only a few months to prepare - particularly for safety, outdoor theatre, good management and the new-style Lord Mayor's parade.

And more people turned out to events despite bad weather and strong competition from the World Cup.

The detailed review calls for a "people's" Mela with more involvement by local groups and a better programme for children and families.

The Mela also hit a sour note because of threatening and abusive comments to members of staff from some traders. It is understood new, stringent health and hygiene requirements and increased costs to people who took stands sparked some of the friction.

Now John Botteley, the Council's head of theatres, arts and festivals, has drawn up a 24-point action plan which includes improvements to the Mela which had an increased attendance of 120,000 people.

And Bradford International Festival Ltd could be asked to make more arrangements to cover bad weather after the final day was washed out by heavy rain.

The "warts and all" review, which councillors will consider next week, says many letters and e-mails of complaint about the Mela were sent to the Council. All the criticism came from non-Asian people.

The award of the contract to international professionals had sparked controversy because it meant the closure of the smaller, non-profit making company which had operated the festival for 15 years.

Today Director of Bradford International Festival Ltd Neil Butler and producer Rob Morley welcomed the report.

Mr Butler said: "The appraisal is a very useful and important process and this is a very balanced report. We are a very self critical organisation and it is very important we deliver the best possible festival for Bradford."