AN INDEPENDENT candidate for the upcoming council elections has responded after a competitor for his seat labelled him unhelpful following flocks of seagulls invading Woolston.

Cllr Andrew Hill said that an unnamed independent councillor had a ‘negative and unhelpful attitude’ over the issue of flocks of seagulls in Woolston.

Two independent candidates are running in the Rixton and Woolston ward in the May 5 elections, and one of them, Cllr Paul Bretherton, has hit out following Cllr Hill’s claims.

He said: “Whilst it is refreshing to see Andrew Hill desperately searching for an issue for him to campaign on he lets himself down badly by trying to portray an independent candidate as being disinterested in the concerns of residents.

“Well if he is so reluctant to identify the independent candidate and instead just issue another hapless smear then we will do that for him.

“I am standing as an independent candidate in Woolston, seeking to retain the faith and trust of the local electorate whom I have serviced in the ward for the best part of a decade.”

Cllr Hill had raised concerns over seagulls on Woolston Grange, which he said had woken residents of Epping Drive as early as 4am and seen feathers shed into residents’ gardens.

Cllr Bretherton added: “Importantly, both before and since the story surfaced not one resident has contacted me over the issue but if there is a serious problem then I am more than happy to help and play our part.

“I would be delighted to help Andrew along and advise him over the next steps that he should take, whilst simultaneously letting him benefit from our knowledge as experienced ward councillors.

“Obviously if he already has a solution or a fix to the issues then I am sure he will be happy to share this information further with everyone.

“It is fairly well-known that Andrew works in a full-time capacity for the MP Helen Jones and so it would appear that personal attacks against former loyal party members are set to roll and roll which, sadly, is completely expected.

“However, each to their own – I will keep on representing the residents until the election and Andrew can keep on smearing until the election.”