Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe has reacted angrily to Bradford Council's decision not to hold an International Market Festival in the city this summer.

Mr Sutcliffe, also the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport, described the Council's decision as "pathetically short-sighted."

The international market was hosted by Bradford in 2004 and again in 2006, bringing more than 500 stallholders to the city and drawing more than 700,000 visitors.

Councillor Andrew Mallinson, the Council's executive member for regeneration, said any future international markets of the scale held previously would only happen if funding could be secured from other partners including the private sector.

He said: "The Council does recognise the success of the Intern-ational Mareket held in 2004 and 2006 and needs to work with partners including the private sector to be in a position to run the event in future years."

But Mr Sutcliffe said: "This is a hammer blow to the city centre and a pathetically short-sighted move. The Council has just taken receipt of £58 million from the sale of Leeds Bradford Airport, yet they claim they can't fund a prestigious international event like this.

"The Council wastes millions of pounds every year employing consultants to come up with grandiose schemes which never seem to happen. This was a fantastic event."

The Council said a continental street market would be held across the city centre to run alongside the Bradford Classic Car Show in July, and there would also be a Christmas market event this year.