LIBERAL Democrat leader Ian Marks has branded some of the election material published during the campaign as ‘disgraceful’.

He cited the campaign in Poulton North and Culcheth as particularly bad examples.

He added: “Some of the stuff put out contained lies and untruths.

“Some of it was utterly appalling and brings politics into disrepute – suggesting Lysander High School could be closed (in Poulton North) was absolutely terrible.”

Clr Graham Friend, who won in Poulton, said: “Nobody has ever denied this was a robust election campaign, but lies and untruths?

“This is rich coming from Clr Marks given the election material distributed in the Poulton North by-election of 2003.”

And Clr Keith Bland, Conservative leader, hit out at the ‘personal attacks’ on his wife Sue who won in Culcheth.

“It was disgusting and absolute character assasination to be honest,” he said.

Chris Vobe, the defeated Labour candidate in Culcheth, said: “Can’t the Tories be magnanimous in victory? I was not expecting them to throw their toys out of the pram so soon.

“The claims made about Clr Sue Bland’s attendance at meetings were backed up by a source from Warrington Borough Council’s own figures.”