CRUEL slurs about Bridgwater on a review website have been described as “poppycock” by passionate champions for the town.

Ilivehere.co.uk posts anonymous, derogatory online reviews about towns across the country – and the Somerset town has received its fair share of criticism.

But businesswoman and district councillor Rachael Lilley and Labour Group leader Leigh Redman say the comments online are not a true reflection of the town they know and love.

The website contains many mean comments about residents and the town, stating: "Bridgwater, like Australia, was originally populated by crooks, convicts, rogues vagabonds and sharks. Unlike Australia, Bridgwater still is.

"Bridgwater never noticed the depressions, power-cuts, shortages and strikes of the seventies as nobody had a job anyway so it was business as usual.

"The best thing about Bridgwater? Driving past it fast, on the M5."

Much of what has been written will not be repeated by the Somerset County Gazette.

Councillor Leigh Redman, leader of the Labour Group on Somerset County Council, said: “You can use the words poppycock alongside some of the most extreme comments.

“This is a load of old tosh, really. During the seventies this was the industrial heartland of Somerset.”

Cllr Redman said he is “born and bred” in Bridgwater where he has lived for all of his 50 years, describing it as a “lovely place.”

He said Hinkley Point, British Cellophane, the Royal Ordnance Factory and Wellworthy have all been major employers over the years.

Cllr Rachael Lilley, who runs the Palace Nightclub, Bar Brunel and other pubs in the area with her husband, Clive, said people who slate the town “get my back up.”

“I couldn’t be more proud and passionate about our town,” she said.

“I love this town and it’s part of the reason I am a councillor here. The people in the town stick together and there is great community spirit. People should come and see for themselves. It is not like that at all and people who come here are impressed by the warmth, friendship and general atmosphere.

“I have got to meet all sorts of people and the bad reputation the town has is so wrong and out of date.”

For the full review, visit the website here.