STOW town councillors have been lambasted as a bunch of moaners by their own district councillor.

Tough talking district councillor David Penman told town councillors last Thursday that he was so fed-up with complaints about Cotswold District Council that he had stopped attending their meetings.

Cllr Penman hit out after criticism from councillors about his and fellow district councillor Meryl Phillips' lack of attendance at meetings since October.

Cllr Penman said: "Having read last month's minutes, one of the comments made was you do not believe what we say anyway. What is the point of us coming here?

"It seems to me, and to other people as well, that this council only ever wants to complain about Cotswold District Council. You just want to moan and moan."

He said town councillors, along with any other residents, had the opportunity to put themselves forward for election to the district council last year and only one of them chose to do so.

"Some people like hurling stones and running away," he said. "I am sick of coming here and listening to this council moaning about CDC. That is why I have not been coming."

Stow mayor Tom Morris hit back, likening Cllr Penman's remarks to a "headmaster's report". He said: "I found some of your comments rather offensive."

Cllr Keith Cox was clearly furious. "This is a most inappropriate way to address this council, in front of the public. You could have called a meeting and we would have attended. I am not going to be lectured to by you," he told Cllr Penman.

"I am so incensed about what has been said. I am extremely angry about it," added Cllr Cox, who said the major complaint the town council has had is over CDC's handling of its plans to replace the town's public toilets with unisex loos.

Cllr John Kennell stressed that the comments reported in the minutes were made during the debate and were not the views of the whole council.