Bradford shoppers have delighted organisers of the city's International Market by turning out in huge

numbers.

The team behind the event are now trying to work out if they are on target to get the 300,000 visitors they expected.

Market traders had been worried that shoppers would not venture out in the numbers they needed to justify the long trips from Italy, France and Germany.

But Malcolm Veigas, Bradford Council's head of markets, said any fears they had vanished within the first few hours of trading.

He said: "The first day is always very difficult because the traders come here and are very nervous until they start seeing the customers arrive, but the numbers they have seen so far have set them right. It has surprised them."

Mr Veigas also said officials from other British cities, who are here on fact-finding trips, are equally amazed at the Bradfordian response to the event.

He said that by buying goods, people are helping to 'sell' Bradford.

He added: "I have just spent 45 minutes with the Liverpool City Council delegation talking about how it has worked for us, because they are interested in this for 2008 and the European City of Culture event.

"They were impressed - I did not have to tell them anything, they could see it for themselves They were knocked out by the number of people here."

Mr Veigas and his team have spent months planning the event and although the next few days will be his busiest ever, he is allowing himself to be pleased with the early results: "I have spent most of my time wandering around and talking to delegates and I am quite pleased.

"There have been one or two teething troubles - one generator has stopped working and so some of the Italians weren't able to cook, but the Dutch particularly are really pleased with the number of people here."

Councillor Simon Cooke, Bradford's executive member for regeneration, is hoping even more people turn out as the weekend continues, he said: "We have had the weather on the first day, just as we ordered, and the opening night's celebrations were great. I am here throughout most of the weekend and a good chunk of my family are here too."

Coun Cooke believes many of Bradford's stores and cafes are also benefiting from the increase in people coming into the city. He said: "I have seen a lot of people from Bradford here - people who might not normally come into the city centre regularly.

"We have tried to make sure the stalls are spread out enough for people to experience other shops in the city, and a lot of the cafes nearby seem to be busy."

Businessman Omar Khan, who runs Omar Khan's restaurant in Little Horton Lane, Bradford, has been getting into the party mood by sending his chefs out to give cooking demonstrations on the street. He said: "I am so glad somebody has come up with this idea. It is an exciting event and gives people a chance to come out and help give the economy of Bradford a boost over the Bank Holiday weekend."