Plans to scrap traditional polling booths for elections in Bradford have been defeated.

Tory and Liberal Democrat peers last night joined forces in the House of Lords to derail Government attempts to introduce all-postal voting in both European and local elections.

Peers voted by 169 to 110, a majority of 59, to remove Yorkshire and the North West from the experiment, leaving just the East Midlands and the North East.

Concerns about fraud, vote-rigging and security were cited by opposition peers.

Their stance has plunged plans to hold the elections in June into confusion.

Leader of Bradford Council Margaret Eaton welcomed the decision, saying: "I'm delighted with the outcome because we have been lobbying in Bradford for that opinion to prevail in the Lords.

"The Council rejected all postal voting at elections some time ago and will continue to do so until we are satisfied about the security of votes. There is not sufficient regard for the process to be protected against potential fraud and intimidation.

"These issues have not been satisfactorily resolved and are not always taken seriously enough. We hope the Government listens to the opinion of the House of Lords in this matter."

The Government, however, has vowed to overturn the defeat when the European Parliamentary and Local Elections (Pilots) Bill returns to the Commons next month.

It is facing a race against time, though, to secure the legislation early enough to allow local authorities to prepare for the June 10 elections.

If both sides refuse to back down, ministers may have no option but to accept traditional voting.

Baroness Hanham, the Conservative's Leader in the Lords, accused ministers of trying to "bludgeon two unwilling regions, and many unwilling returning officers" into holding all-postal ballots.

Lord Greaves, a Lib Dem peer, said there had beem allegations of widespread fraud during previous postal ballots in Bradford, as well as other towns across the North.

He said: "It is widely accepted among politicians of all parties that fraud has taken place, and that it is likely to happen if there is all-postal voting."

He also aired fears postal voting would make it easier for the far-right British National Party - "not at the top of the list of the most scrupulous political parties" - to rig the election.