Former Lord Mayor Gordon Mitchell has resigned from the Labour Party after being accused by officials of failing to provide solutions to Bradford's troubles.

And another former first citizen, Councillor Danny Mangham, has quit the Council's Labour whip after being criticised for failing to display knowledge of the major issues facing Bradford.

The move follows a decision by the regional Labour Party to axe the long-serving councillors from a panel of prospective candidates for the Council elections in May.

Their reasons for refusing the former Lord Mayors the opportunity to stand again is given in letters to the councillors. But both have stressed they have no rift with the Council's Labour group and its leader Councillor Ian Greenwood and will continue to attend full council meetings.

Coun Mitchell will sit as an independent while his colleague will sit as 'Danny'.

They reached their decisions without consulting each other and announced them at a Labour meeting this week.

The move comes as the district Labour Party - backed by the Government - launches a battle to regain seats it lost in the last Council elections.

The Council became hung in 2000 after a decade in Labour control. It now has a Tory leader Councillor Margaret Eaton who was voted in with the backing of Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Greenwood paid tribute to the work of the two councillors over many years.

But Coun Eaton said: "Their actions are quite understandable given their disgraceful treatment by the Labour party."

Coun Mitchell, 70, whose wife Peggy was Lady Mayoress during his term of office from 1996-97, was also told in the letter from officials that he had demonstrated poor communication skills, and that he did not show an understanding of Government policy with regard to Bradford.

In the letter to Coun Mangham, 73, the regional party says it was noted that he felt the big issues were the responsibility of the Executive Committee rather than himself.

It adds that he displayed insufficient involvement in campaigning needed to win by Bradford and showed no understanding in depth of equal opportunities.

But Coun Mangham, 73, whose wife Irene, was Lady Mayoress in his term of office from 1994-95, said: "I don't think it is sheer coincidence that this happened when I was turned 70."

He said he was pleased for another former Lord Mayor Bob Sowman, 71, who won his appeal after a rejection.

The decision means Coun Mangham, who has had a quadruple heart by-pass, is no longer a member of the Labour group.

He will have to give up his membership of Bradford South Area Panel.

He said: "I can't see me joining another party. I will simply sit as Danny. I haven't made a decision yet on what I will do at election time."

A regional Labour party spokesman said it had received an e-mail from Coun Mitchell but was surprised at his action because his appeal was pending. He added: "If they have left we are sorry about the course of action they have taken."

The constitution of the Council is now Labour 39, Conservatives 37, Liberal Democrats 11, Green 1, Independent 1, and Coun Mangham.