Bradford Council is advertising across Europe for private companies interested in a major contract investing millions of pounds into its beleaguered information technology.

It would probably result in a partnership to deliver the £40 million project - the biggest of its type in Britain.

The Council will now evaluate replies from experts interested in participating in the scheme, which would have huge implications for the public.

The 23,000-strong workforce would receive specialised training and there would be huge implications for tens of thousands of customers.

Backroom staff would eventually vanish as more front-line workers had information at their fingertips. Other outdoor workers, like maintenance staff, would have hand-held computers linking into the authorities' vast system.

The Council has about 1,000 information systems and some are not even computerised.

The authority's comprehensive performance assessment by the Audit Commission stressed the need to forge ahead with improvements to the systems, making them up-to-date with modern day needs.

But City Hall unions have said they are concerned about the implications and any job losses.

They have been told, however, that the project would improve their working conditions and performance by senior officers.

Deputy Council leader Councillor Simon Cooke said: "We have started the procedure with a notice which has been advertised and it will take several months moving towards a decision about a preferred partner."

He said a partner would bring investment and expertise but the full specification and arrangements had yet to be decided.

Mr Cooke continued: "It would vastly improve the Council's services to the public.

''For example, customers can have to go through two to three people at the moment. It would mean they could immediately go to the right member of staff to deal with their query."

The Council is also on the verge of seeking an outside partner for its asset management services - dealing with the £1 billion of assets in its portfolio.