The Government is planning to step in to give the people of Bradford the chance to take part in a referendum for an elected mayor.

The Telegraph & Argus can reveal today that Local Government Minister Nick Raynsford is expected to contact Bradford Council telling them the Government is 'mindful of intervening' over the Council's decision not to hold a referendum for a people's mayor.

The Council decided in June to continue with the structure of an executive committee chaired by a leader taking the authority's key decisions. But Mr Raynsford is expected to contact chief executive Ian Stewart about the decision.

The Council would have the opportunity to put its case against a referendum.

The ceremonial role of the existing Lord Mayor would probably continue.

A huge consultation exercise carried out this year showed almost 18,000 in favour of the existing system, with 13,000 wanting an elected mayor leading a cabinet and 6,670 in favour of a mayor with manager.

But former Labour council leader John Ryan and the Labour group's assistant chief whip Tony Niland were among Labour councillors who pressed for a referendum.

A Government source told the T&A ministers were concerned about political squabbling in the Council during a time the district needed firm leadership.

Today Jim O'Neill, co-ordinator of the district's People's Choice Campaign which has battled for a referendum, said he was delighted by the decision.

He said: "This is a step in the right direction for Bradford. We must make sure the people of Bradford know the full facts when they make this decision."

But Council Leader Councillor Margaret Eaton - who she did not know of the intervention - pointed out there had been no tried and tested model which showed the benefit of having a mayor elected by the people to rule the district.

She said: "It would plunge the district into a state of even greater uncertainty after the recent riots."

She added she would not like Bradford to be used as a guinea pig and said the cost of a referendum for a population of almost half a million would be immense.

She said the money could be spent on services.