Bolton Council has been dubbed the "Basil Fawlty" of local authorities after cancelling a civic visit to a former warship -- in fear of upsetting its German guests.

Town hall chiefs called off the tour of HMS Bronington at Salford because they were worried that civic dignitaries from Bolton's twin town, Paderborn, would be offended.

Staff at the ship were stunned to hear the news. The vessel was built in 1953 and never played a part in either world wars.

Delegates from both Bolton's twin towns at Paderborn, in Germany, and Le Mans, in France, are spending the Bank Holiday weekend in the borough, enjoying a series of visits and functions.

The itinerary included a trip to the Lowry Centre today. It was also suggested that a tour around HMS Bronington, once skippered by Prince Charles and now a tourist attraction at Salford, should be added to the timetable.

But council chiefs became worried that a guided tour around the warship would not go down well with Heinz Paus, the Burgermeister of Paderborn, his wife Sabine, and other members of their party.

Bolton man Stephen Lee, aged 40, a ship keeper on HMS Bronington, who lives on Crompton Way, said he was shocked when he was told the visit had been cancelled.

"When they told me why it had been called off I was a bit gobsmacked. This ship was never used against the Germans and there's no mention of the two world wars on it.

"The Basil Fawlty 'don't mention the war' thing sprung to mind," he added. "I think it's ridiculous, the council is showing it's out of touch."

Bob Howarth, leader of Bolton Council, denied the visit to the ship had been cancelled because of concerns it would upset the German party. He said the itinerary had to be re-scheduled because it was felt the party of 40 would be spending too long in Salford.

He added: "A visit to the ship was one of the attractions originally on our list, but it was decided to allow our visitors the chance to come back to Bolton and have a look around the town centre."

Ken McIvor, president of the Bolton Normandy Veterans Association and a former mayor, said he thought the decision to cancel the visit was ridiculous.

"It's 56 years since the war ended. You have got to look to the future and become friends.

He added: "It sounds like it's just some silly bugger at the council who has decided to call off the visit."

HMS Bronington was built in 1953 and spent much of its time as a coastal minesweeper.

In 1976 it was under the command of the Prince of Wales, shortly before he retired from the Navy. He has visited the ship many times since it was decommissioned in 1989.

Mr Lee works on the ship with seven other volunteers, including his wife Julie.

Delegates from Paderborn and Le Mans will enjoy visits to Smithills Hall, Rivington Country Park, in addition to attending Monday's Wanderers vLiverpool match at the Reebok.

The Mayor, Cllr Kevan Helsby, said he was unaware of the planned visit to HMS Bronington, which it is thought had been pencilled in and then cancelled at the last minute.

A famous episode of 1970s comedy, Fawlty Towers, featured Torquay hotel owner Basil Fawlty warning staff not to mention the war, because he was afraid it would offend German guests.