Bradford Council has finally received its top transport award - after a nationwide hunt to find it.

London civil servants created havoc in council offices across the country at Easter when they put certificates in the wrong envelopes for councils which had won prestigious titles for transport excellence.

But even though Bradford's award has finally come, the civil servants have not managed to get it right. The letter accompanying it is addressed to Council Leader 'Eileen' Eaton - when it should be Margaret Eaton!

The awards came from John Prescott, Secretary of State for Environment and Transport in the Regions, designating 30 councils as centres of excellence for integrated transport.

Today Coun Eaton said: "This is obviously an organisation which doesn't pay much attention to detail, but it's nice to receive an award like this."

The Council was left to search for its own award at Easter after receiving the certificate for Trafford Metropolitan Council, which has a population of 230,000 - half the size of Bradford.

Coun Eaton said: "Hopefully John Prescott will now realise that Bradford is in West Yorkshire when he drives past in his Jaguar in future!"

Now the Council has received its certificate, along with a letter to Coun Eaton from the office of Keith Hill, Under Secretary of State for Environment and Transport in the Regions, who apologises for the inconvenience and thanks her for her patience and co-operation. The DETR asked councils to return their certificates after the mix-up and then sent them to the right local authorities.

Schemes including Bradford's new state-of-the-art guided bus lane being constructed on Manchester Road contributed to Bradford's award.

The accolades were given for the first time by Mr Prescott, but he says others will go in the future to councils which earn them.