A COUNCILLOR has been criticised for claiming Bury Times readers are less educated than other residents of the borough.

Cllr Susan Southworth, who represents Elton, was reacting to a poll in the Bury Times which stated that 73 per cent of readers thought that Britain should leave the EU.

On Twitter, Cllr Southworth said: "You (the Bury Times) forgot to mention that Bury Times readers are mainly older and less well educated, so not representative of Bury's population."

One resident told her: "Crikey. That's hardly an appropriate generalisation for a councillor."

Bury Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Tim Pickstone said: "Readers will be insulted and angry," and Bury Conservative leader, Cllr Iain Gartside, added: "It's very disrespectful."

However, Cllr Southworth, who is a teacher, stuck to her guns.

She suggested her point was valid because access to education and educational standards have improved in recent decades and that there was a time when those who took the 11-plus exam left school aged 15 with a reading age of eight.

Cllr Southworth added: "Why is (what I said) considered an insult? As a teacher, I can acknowledge poor education in the past as a fact."

Under council rules, councillors must use social networking websites responsibly and treat others with respect.

However, there is no suggestion that Cllr Southworth has broken those rules.

Bury Labour Group leader, Cllr Rishi Shori, said: "The views of Cllr Southworth are not representative of those of Bury Labour Group.

“People are entitled to their views on the issues of the European Union referendum, and any suggestion that Bury Times readers are less well educated than the rest of the electorate is unacceptable.

“This will be dealt with as an internal matter."