I was sorry to see a negative article about Zap Productions' work in Bradford (The Argus, October 12).

The story did not represent the views of the key organisations, including the councils in Bradford and West Yorkshire, but those of a small group associated with the previous festival organisers who lost the contract to run the festival last autumn.

The Bradford press release shows the Bradford International Festival is highly regarded and, despite a short period of six months to develop the programme for 2002, the festival was regarded a success:

"The Bradford-based festival team has agreed with Bradford Council its plans for the second year of its contract after a thorough scrutiny and appraisal process that had identified the festival had presented ground-breaking international programming and an excellent health and safety record."

-Dave Reeves, director, Zap Productions, Middle Street, Brighton