A TYLDESLEY councillor who defected to Labour from the Liberal Democrats is being urged to resign by his angry former political ally.

Wigan Council member Cllr Robert Bleakley has called on Cllr Graham Lingings to stand down and face re-election after switching to the Labour Party last week.

Cllr Bleakley called the actions of his former political partner in Hindsford ward a "betrayal".

He said: "The real losers in all of this are the people of Hindsford who have voted Liberal Democrat on two occasions and are now being betrayed.

"Many will now be questioning his legitimacy to represent them and many are already calling on him to stand down and fight a by-election."

Cllr Lingings won Hindsford ward for the Liberal Democrats in a by-election a year ago.

A bitter Cllr Bleakley, who acted as Cllr Lingings' election agent, added: "I'm sad he has made the decision but I'm glad the Liberal Democrats are rid of a man who we are better off without. Twelve months ago, Graham told the people of this ward they'd been neglected by Labour for too long - and he was elected with a thumping majority.

"He's obviously changed his mind and is prepared to abandon his principles."

But Cllr Lingings rejected the calls for him to be re-elected saying he was still going to remain the "committed councillor" he always was.

He said: "I don't feel there is any reason to stand down. It is a knee jerk reaction."