A major public inquiry held to redraw Bradford's parliamentary boundaries was a waste of public money, according to the organisation set up to do it.

And the Boundary Commission today blamed the "unnecessary waste" of cash on Bradford Council's Liberal Democrat group.

It held the probe after the Lib Dems opposed plans to place the Little Horton ward in a newly-created Bradford East constituency and the Tong ward in Bradford South. The Lib Dems also wanted to retain the seat of Bradford North.

However no-one from the group attended the planned two-day inquiry, forcing it to close after less than an hour.

In its report into the inquiry the Commission condemned the Lib Dems saying: "We note, with considerable disappointment, that the Bradford Liberal Democrats... had not attended to support their case.

"It was also noted that they had not informed the Commission that they would not be attending the inquiry. The inquiry had, therefore, in the Commission's opinion, been a quite unnecessary waste of public money."

The inquiry was originally due to be held on April 28 last year but was moved to July 7 so as not to clash with the General Election campaign.

Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Jeanette Sunderland today said she submitted written evidence but, when the date of the hearing was changed, it became impossible for her team to attend - something she asked the Council's legal team to pass on.

She added: "We had discussed this matter with senior officers at the Council who assured us they would inform the Commission that senior Liberal Democrats were not available on that date and we were given assurances that further evidence was not necessary. We will clearly take this matter up with the Commission and the Council."

A Bradford Council spokesman said the message was passed on.

He said: "The Boundary Commission was promptly informed when we became aware that the Liberal Democrats were unable to attend, unfortunately the message did not appear to have been passed on to the people holding the inquiry."

But the Commission's Tony Bergin said the Lib Dems should have spoken directly to it.

"It seems strange that the Liberal Democrats should inform the Council. It was our inquiry and nothing to do with the Council."

Last year's inquiry was closed after 50 minutes because of a lack of serious objections to the proposals.

At the time Peter Birts QC, the assistant commissioner, described the situation as 'embarrassing'.

The Commission will now recommend that Parliament re-name the Bradford West constituency Bradford East and include the Little Horton ward within it.