OLD soldiers have condemned civic leaders who they claim rejected a Remembrance Day invite on political grounds.

Leigh Royal British Legion branch vice president Bert Paxford says that after this year's parade councillors boycotted a get-together in Leigh Conservative Club.

But two Labour councillors who took part in the parade say there was no political motive behind their absence from the Tory club.

Cllr Kevin Anderson said he was "very disappointed" by the claims and Cllr Brian Jarvis, who has worked closely with the Royal British Legion on several issues, also refuted the allegation. Mr Paxford said: "The Royal British Legion is non-political. The councillors who went away after the parade should hang their heads in shame.

"In a time of need Leigh Conservative Club offered the use of their club as our branch HQ. We are very grateful to them. It has always been customary for councillors, irrespective of their party, to join old soldiers, sailors and airmen after the parade. We will remember."

Cllr Jarvis said: "People forget we have other commitments. There was no slight intended. We had paraded, taken part in the service and gone to the dispersal." and ended-up at the Town Hall." I'm surprised at my colleagues in the Legion, what they are saying is ridiculous. I have been in Leigh Conservative Club and other Conservative clubs."

Cllr Anderson said: "Bert is a service veteran and works hard for the RBL but to suggest our absence was political is disappointing."