ANGRY Blackpool Tories have branded a new council A-Z magazine a "blag mag" designed to boost councillors' bids for re-election in May.

The A to Z - which costs 27p per copy to produce - is part of an initiative by Blackpool Borough Council officials to improve communication between the public and local authority departments.

Each copy contains a comprehensive list of useful telephone numbers and will be hand-delivered to addresses throughout the resort.

And is the forerunner to another council-produced publication, a community newspaper, which is set to reach households in March.

But, in light of recent budget proposals to increase council tax by 12.9 per cent, Conservative Leader for Blackpool, Councillor Peter Callow has accused council officials of squandering taxpayers' money.

He claims the publication is "blatant electioneering" at a cost of £48,000 to residents.

Cllr Callow said: "The A to Z magazine is merely the current council cabinet's view of Blackpool, through rose-coloured glasses.

"It goes hand-in-hand with the new eight-page 'Community Newsletter' which is set to be pushed through doors in March.

"I am positive residents are going to find the Blackpool depicted in these glossy publications bears no resemblance to the town they are living in and serve as little more than a 'blag mag' to be used as part of the Labour and Lib Dem manifesto for the forthcoming local elections in May.

"Coming at a time when council tax is planning on being raised to the unacceptable level of 12.9 per cent - these brochures have cost more than £48,000 to produce.

"As leader of the opposition I have a vital role in curbing the excesses of a council that is badly in debt.

"When taxpayers' money is being squandered on blatant electioneering material which has not been accounted for in the council's budget plans."

But Blackpool Borough Council Leader and Labour Councillor, Roy Fisher, has defended the publications and believes they will be welcomed by residents in the resort.

Cllr Fisher said: "Improved communication has been a key recommendation from our inspection report on the council by the Audit Commission as well as other inspection bodies.

"And better communication is always highlighted as high on Blackpool people's wish lists.

"Research has shown that other councils of all political persuasions who produce a newspaper, or similar publication, report an upturn in both customer usage and satisfaction.

"That is why this Council has produced its A-Z, which is a non-political document which solely covers the Council's services.

"I would also add that many Conservative run councils publish similar publications and A-Z's of this style are considered to signify best practice.