Bolton Council chiefs have been accused of "scaremongering" after warning that they face their worst-ever spending cuts.

Tory deputy leader Cllr Derek Shepherd hit out at a meeting of the Labour council's policy sub committee yesterday.

"This is the time of year when the bogeyman always seems to come out.

"But it does cause the most vulnerable members of society a great deal of worry when we hear various services are under threat.

"We are told that many sensitive areas of our service face cuts, it drags on for a couple of months and then it doesn't happen.

"You should try to eliminate the scaremongering and tell it how it is."

Council chiefs announced earlier this week that between £5-£9.5 million could be chopped off budgets.

But Cllr Bob Howarth, Bolton Council leader, replied: "I hope it is not as bad as it seems, but I do think that we are way out in estimations."

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Roger Hayes added: "These cuts will hit people where it hurts and people do need to know what is coming."

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