Campaigners were today stepping up their fight to get a people's mayor in Bradford.

The People's Choice campaign group is to press Bradford Council to do a U-turn and agree to a referendum on whether to elect a mayor.

They were also planning to be in the city centre, Shipley, Bingley, Keighley and Ilkley to explain what the option would mean.

Campaigners are steaming ahead after Stephen Byers, Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, concluded the Council had not taken into the account the views of Bradford's residents when it decided to continue with its existing system of an executive committee chaired by the Council leader.

Mr Byers has written to the Council warning it has two weeks to persuade him why there should not be a vote. But the Council says a referendum would cost taxpayers £250,000.

Chief executive Ian Stewart said the costs would be less if a ballot was held the same day as the Council elections next May.

But he added if a referendum backed a mayor there would be a further consultation.

The Council decided to continue with its existing structure after a massive consultation on its constitution earlier this year.

More than 19,000 people said they wanted some form of elected mayor compared with 18,000 who wanted to keep the present system.

Mr Stewart said today he welcomed the fact Mr Byers had not immediately directed them to hold a referendum.

He said: "We are looking forward to making a full response to him."

Mr Stewart said the existing system had received the most support of any single option.

But former Labour council leader Councillor John Ryan, who is also chairman of Bradford Hospitals Trust, said: "I think the move by the Secretary of State is fabulous news for Bradford.

"I believe he should intervene and I have always said the public should have a vote. I believe the consultation was misleading.

"I think there is a lot of apathy in the district about the way the Council is run and I believe it is incapable of dealing with what it faces. I believe the people of Bradford will leap at the opportunity for a different form of governance for the city."

Professor Gerry Stoker, chairman of the New Local Government Network, said: "The views of the public should be treated with respect. This decision recognises an important principle."

l Britain's first and only people's mayor is London's Ken Livingstone. But Doncaster and Watford have voted in favour of the system.

Referendums are pending in 13 other towns and cities.