Outside consultants are recommending that Bradford should become a unique "Festival City" - as a main part of its bid to become the European City of Culture.

Liverpool-based consultants Positive Solutions say visionary thinking is needed for the bid to win the top European title covering the year 2008.

The consultants say it is essential for this year's Bradford Festival to be a success and for next year's to build on the excellent work.

The consultants say that "Bradford - Festival City" could provide the city with a second nationally-recognised cultural landmark alongside the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television.

Attractions once the city adopted the branding could include:

Bradford on Parade - a bigger Lord Mayor's carnival parade;

A European Festival of Youth Theatres;

A Bradford Animation Festival;

Expanding the famous Mela;

A comedy festival - "laughs of the Yorkshire kind."

The study, which was ordered to assess whether the festival was value for money, comes as the Council approaches the end of its eight-year contract with Bradford Festival Limited to run the event.

All local authorities have to carry out reviews of all services because of the Government's Best Value regime.

Non-profit making Bradford Festival Ltd is expected to bid again for the job of running the event when it goes out to tender, but will find itself in competition from other organisations across the country.

Bradford Festival Ltd director Mark Fielding said today his team was enthusiastically preparing its bid for the contract and wanted to stay.

He said the study was a normal best-value report, which was part of local government procedures and had not been prepared for any other reason.

Mr Fielding added: "On the whole it came out very well and it was a very fair report."

He said since the 1987 Mela had attracted 8,000 people the figure had risen to 100,000 last year.

The study, which will go to the executive committee next Tuesday, is likely to result in the contract being put out to tender as soon as possible so that new arrangements can be in place by September.

Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said: "Bradford Festival has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and has now become one of the biggest outdoor events of its kind in the country, and I would like to thank all those who have worked hard to achieve this.

"The Council is committed to the festival and puts a significant amount of money into it each year. However, we need to take stock and explore ways of developing and building on the current achievement so that the event fits into our aims for the Bradford district over coming years.

"We will ensure that the festival remains an annual celebration of our unique local mix of character and culture, but that it also plays a part in the economic, social and educational regeneration of our district as we bid to become European Capital of Culture."

Bidders for the contract to run Bradford Festival will have to demonstrate that they are innovative, creative and able to attract funding from a wide range of sources.

They will also have to join other festivals such as Ilkley Literature Festival and Bradford Film Festival.

This year's festival will run from June 22 to July 7, with a wide range of events for members of the public to enjoy.

On Tuesday the executive committee will consider options including the appointment of a festival director or trust or partnership to develop a district wide programme.

Members will also consider the possibility of running it by the Council and splitting the Mela and other key elements up, to manage them separately.