Thousands of people are being consulted on sweeping changes to the way Bradford council is managed.

A wide-ranging consultation programme has started on what sort of political management structure people want for the authority.

Neighbourhood forums, young people, faith communities, Bradford Congress, voluntary organisations, tenants' groups and parish councils will all be involved in the process.

People will be asked to state which of three possible systems of local government they would prefer:

q an elected mayor and a cabinet of councillors appointed by the mayor

q a leader and a cabinet of councillors to be appointed by the leader or the council

q an elected mayor and a council manager appointed by the council.

Bradford council has to submit its plans to the Government by June, and the new arrangements must be in place by May next year.

The council's chief executive, Ian Stewart, says: "We are doing all we can to ensure that as many people as possible in the district have their say on this issue.

"The council is committed to a wide-ranging consultation programme and is approaching a large number of groups to make sure this happens effectively," adds Mr Stewart