An MP and leading local government expert today backed the fight to give the public a say on a "people's mayor" for Bradford.

Support for a referendum on a mayor directly elected by the people swelled after the Council voted against giving residents the right to make a choice.

An amendment put to Tuesday's Council meeting by Labour councillors Tony Niland, Adrian Longthorne and Gary Seekins, wanting a referendum on an elected mayor, received no support from colleagues who said the system would put too much power in the hands of one person and could lead to corruption.

The decision follows a referendum in Watford last week when residents were the first outside London to vote to elect their own mayor.

A referendum is due to be held by Calderdale Council in October after their public consultation proved inconclusive.

A major consultation exercise in Bradford saw 17,930 people wanting to stick with the existing set-up of a council leader heading an executive committee.

Some 13,053 members of the public were in favour of a system where they would elect their own mayor to lead a cabinet of councillors, while 6,679 believed a "people's" mayor should head the district with his or her own manager.

The People's Choice - an independent organisation campaigning for a referendum - says the consultation demonstrated that most people were interested in an elected mayor.

The campaigners are asking Local Government Minister Stephen Byers to step in following the Council's decision. He will have the final say when the Council submits its decision.

Bradford West MP Marsha Singh said he would support the approach to Mr Byers and was deeply disappointed by the Council's decision.

He said: "It seems to indicate they are afraid of the people's verdict. That raises the question of whether they should be running the district."

Mr Singh said there was nothing wrong with giving people the opportunity to make a choice.

John Williams, executive director of the New Local Government network - a think-tank of experts and academics dealing with council modernisation - also criticised the decision.

He said: "Given the obvious need for clear local leadership in Bradford, this is a huge disappointment coming at such a crucial time for the district."

Shipley MP Chris Leslie said he believed there would still come a time when a referendum would be held in Bradford and it was the only way to find out what people wanted. "I don't think we should shirk from giving the people a choice and there is no harm in letting people have a say," he said.

He said it was up to campaigners to get a petition signed by 17,000 people, asking for a say - the alternative offered by the Government to spark a referendum.

But Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said the public consultation had clearly indicated most people want to stick with the present system.