The people of Bradford will get their say on the man who could command a salary of £200,000 for taking on the "ultimate challenge".

A panel representing community groups will question the short-listed applicants for the job of chief executive with Bradford Council.

It will be the first time the public have been involved in the appointment of the top officer, who will have huge influence on the future of the district.

The six men who have reached the short list for one of Britain's most highly-paid local authority jobs will meet the panel in Bradford on September 3 and 4.

The candidates - already in top jobs either with local authorities or in the independent sector - face formal interviews and tests.

They will also be required to give presentations and meet the Council's top management team during their visit.

The contenders will have a tour of the district then meet the panel made up of representatives from all parts of the community who will be able to ask questions.

Brett Bull, of Oakleigh Corporate Enterprises in Manchester and who has been handling the 42 applications, said: "It means people throughout the community feel they will have input. Their views will be taken into consideration."

Bradford Council leader Councillor Margaret Eaton said a list of suitable candidates from communities, businesses and professions across the district would be drawn up by the human resources department.

But the final selection would be made by the appointment panel of the three main party leaders. "In this case it is likely that five or six people will be chosen to take part," she added.

Senior politicians say they are prepared to pay the best to get the best and accept Bradford is the "ultimate challenge in local government" and must not be sold short.

Salaries to the high flyers are increasing because of the new Audit Commission Com-prehensive Performance Assessments which put councils in national league tables. High assessments are crucial to cities like Bradford wanting to draw in large amounts of investment.