A RADCLIFFE councillor has refused to resign after it was revealed he had been convicted of drink-driving.

Calls for Councillor Kevin Scarlett to stand down have emerged in the wake of his appearance at Bolton Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

Coun Scarlett (40), who has been a Labour councillor for seven years and represents Radcliffe Central, was given a 12-month ban, ordered to pay a total of £250 and complete a drink-drivers' rehabilitation course.

Speaking exclusively, Coun Scarlett said he did not intend to stand down, although he stressed his deep regret and long self-reflection for the misdemeanour.

He said: "I understand the call from political opponents for me to resign. I have made a serious mistake and deserve the criticism that goes with the responsibility of public office.

"However, I do not see how resignation will do any good. Instead, as a wiser and more humbler person I intend to continue in helping to make a better Radcliffe through public service. "Hopefully in time people will feel able to forgive me for letting them down."

He added: "There is no excuse for drink driving, and I am deeply ashamed by my behaviour and the embarrassment I have caused to many people. I now want to begin rebuilding the trust and confidence of the many Radcliffe people who have supported me over the years."

Radcliffe road safety campaigner Thomas Killoran, who saw his best friend killed outside his Bolton Road home by a drink-driver, said: "As a convicted drink-driver he has sullied his reputation. In order to redeem himself he should seriously consider his position as a councillor which I see as untenable."

Mr Killoran (47) who founded the group Stop Murder By Cars after witnessing the death of Gareth Thomas in 1993 added: "He has a responsibility to project a good image to the public and I believe he should resign."

And the leader of Radcliffe's Liberal Democrats, Mr Mike Halsall, has blasted Coun Scarlett for his "appalling" behaviour.

He said: "At a time when all parties are calling for more action on drink-related crime, it is appalling that Coun Scarlett has been banned from driving on drink-related grounds."

He added: "On behalf of the Bury Liberal Democrats I call on him to resign as a councillor immediately as he is obviously unfit for such a highly respected position.

"I sincerely hope that Coun Scarlett chooses to vacate his council position with the little honour that he has left."

However, Council Leader John Byrne has defended Coun Scarlett who told him of the incident before it reached court in January.

He said: "We all do foolish things which we regret and we all have our weaknesses. I think with any transgression you have to look at the severity of the matter.

"With Coun Scarlett's transgression no-one was injured and nothing serious happened. It is a lesson from which he has learned and we will not be asking him to resign."

Radcliffe South councillor Michael Diamond gave up his seat in 1995 after a similar controversy broke out.

The Conservative councillor was banned for three years after being found two-and-a-half times over the legal limit.

Initially he refused to resign but Mr Killoran threatened to stand against him for election.

Mr Sam Cohen, former deputy leader of Bury Conservatives, said: "It would seem that the Labour group have kept what has happened to Councillor Scarlett quieter than when former Councillor Diamond was in the same position."