A LABOUR councillor has denied branding residents on a Tyldesley estate as "junkies and smack heads".

People in Shakerley were furious when they read the claims in a Liberal Democrat newsletter which were posted through their letterboxes.

According to the Focus Shakerley Special community newsletter, Cllr Myra Whiteside made the remarks after a schools' organisation meeting when delegates voted to close Shakerley CE Primary School, where the roll has fallen from 210 to just 59.

They were allegedly made in response to comments about closing the school by Cllr David Higginbottom who has stood by the claims.

He said: "I am absolutely certain that Cllr Whiteside did make the remarks attributed to her. I am appalled that a Labour councillor holds such views about the residents of our estate. It just shows the hypocrisy and contempt in which they hold ordinary people."

Cllr Whiteside has denied making such remarks and said: "That is terrible. I would never say anything like that. I am upset about it. I have family who live there and they are upset. I have had nasty phone calls since the leaflet appeared."

The alleged slur has infuriated people who live on the estate.

Margaret Middlehurst, who lives with her husband, Bill, in Rutland Road, said: "We are disgusted. All my children and grandchildren have been to Shakerley School. My mum worked there for 20-odd years.

"We don't live in palaces, but there are some decent families up here."

The committee decided to close Shakerley school on August 31.