Bradford Council's ruling Conservative group has backed in principle controversial plans to sell off Leeds-Bradford Airport.

West Yorkshire's five councils, which jointly own the airport, are being asked to discuss the possibility of selling shares to a private investor.

But Bradford Council's Labour group leader Ian Greenwood said he would propose a vote of no confidence in Council leader Margaret Eaton if the proposal went ahead.

Councillor Eaton said the Tory group agreed with the sale in principle, but said there needed to be a financial appraisal before a decision could be reached.

At present, both Bradford and Leeds councils own a 40 per cent stake in the airport, with the remaining shares split between Kirklees, Wakefield and Calderdale.

But an independent report commissioned by Leeds Council says the airport's future success would be best served by a majority or outright sale to a strategic investor.

The airport, which attracts more than two million passengers a year and is valued at £36.45 million, would be sold as a going concern.

Coun Eaton said: "Private money would be a great boost to the airport. I think he (Coun Greenwood) is taking a narrow view. The whole council should make an informed decision based on further information. Knee-jerk reactions are unhelpful.

"We will be putting a discussion paper on this subject to full council and there will probably be a consultation to see how people feel."

But Coun Greenwood said: "We are absolutely opposed to selling the majority share out of the public sector. We sit on our hands to let the Tories run the Council, but there's no way we could put up with this.

"I will have no hesitation in proposing a vote of no confidence in her because this is an absolute deal-breaker.

"There is a risk that whoever takes over will be another airport that will look to strip out the scheduled flights, which are the flights used by businessmen.

"The only way to ensure that is to keep it in public ownership. Selling the majority share would be for short-term gains which would act to the detriment of the district."

Local Liberal Democrat leader Jeanette Sunderland said: "There would be a windfall to Bradford and that has got to be measured off against the small amount of revenue that comes to the Council from the airport. No business case has been advanced for either keeping or selling the airport."

The Conservative leader of Leeds Council Andrew Carter said: "It would need a majority of shareholders to agree.

"We need another two authorities although our preference would be to progress with unanimity."

When asked whether or not he wanted the airport to pass into private hands, airport managing director Ed Anderson said it was a matter for the shareholders.

Mr Anderson said: "It might change the way things are funded but we have got plans which we are determined to go ahead with under whatever ownership. It's business as usual for us."

The Airport's ambitious Master-plan proposes to more than double passenger numbers to 4.7 million by 2016, with a further increase to seven million by 2030. Expansion of the terminal and a new parallel taxi-way to feed aircraft onto the runway are in the pipeline.

Leeds Council's executive committee is meeting today and is expected to press ahead with the next stage of proposals to sell the airport, which would involve the appointment of financial advisors.