ANGRY Tories stunned members of a Bury nature group with allegations that it undermined the election chances of one of their candidates.

Members of the Friends of Cockey Moor, Whitehead and Parker's Lodges were accused of mounting a doorstep campaign which deliberately ignored Conservative input to their cause.

The attack came at the latest meeting of Bury West Area Board, where Councillor Jack Walton complained about the leaflet At The Water's Edge .

Members of the Friends group have enlisted the help of all six councillors in Church and Elton ward in their fight to safeguard the future of five picturesque lodges straddling Elton and Ainsworth.

The newsletter thanked Labour councillor Ray Watts and Bury North MP David Chaytor, as well as Tory Church ward councillor Bob Bibby.

But Coun Walton, who held his Church ward seat in the elections, said: "Myself and my colleague Roy Walker did not even get a mention in this leaflet, which was sent out two days before the election."

Coun Walton's election agent Vivienne Nally added: "This was the most political non-political leaflet sent out during the campaign."

Chairman of the Friends group Elaine Shirt replied that the leaflet had not been prepared with the local elections in mind and that acknowledgements referred to specific events and issues.

She said: "This is about the environment not politics. There simply wasn't room in the leaflet to mention everybody who has helped us, but we are grateful to them all."

Chairman of the area board, Coun Bob Bibby: "As far as I am concerned this is not a political issue and I think the campaign has the full support of everybody."