OLD soldiers branded civic leaders 'deserters' and claimed councillors snubbed a Remembrance Day invite on political grounds.

Leigh Royal British Legion branch vice president Bert Paxford was incensed after Sunday's parade when he claimed councillors boycotted a get-together in Leigh Conservative Club. But two Labour councillors who took part in the parade say there was no political motive behind their Tory club absence.

Cllr Kevin Anderson said he was "very disappointed" by the claims and Cllr Brian Jarvis, who has worked closely with the Royal British Legion on several issues also refuted the suggestions.

This week an angry Mr Paxford said: "The Royal British Legion is non-political. The councillors who slunk away after the parade should hang their heads in shame. We have no time for deserters.

"In time of need Leigh Conservative Club offered the use of their club as our branch HQ. We are very grateful to them. It has always been customary for councillors, irrespective of their party, to join old soldiers, sailors and airmen after the parade. Everyone was totally disgusted by the boycott. We will remember."

"To those who deliberately kept away, we do not want the company of councillors with no guts and pride."

Cllr Jarvis told the Journal : "People forget we have other commitments. There was no slight intended. We had paraded, taken part in the service and gone to the dispersal and ended-up at the Town Hall. I'm surprised at my colleagues in the Legion what they are saying is ridiculous. I have been in Leigh Conservative Club and other Conservative clubs."

Colleague Cllr Kevin Anderson said: "Bert is a service veteran and works hard for the RBL but to suggest our absence was political is disappointing."

Alderman John Hession, a former soldier and Labour councillor, did attend the get together with Leigh Labour Party vice-chairman and ex-RAF man John Clarke.

Ald Hession said: "I had a pint, a pastie and bought some raffle tickets and then went home. As ex-servicemen we felt it our duty to attend the gathering at Leigh's RBL headquarters."