A DEBATE on Europe planned for Lancaster has been axed after a row between rival parties.

The city had been earmarked for a debate between Lib-Dem Euro MP Chris Davies and representatives of the UK Independence Party.

However, the UKIP have pulled out of the series of public discussions, which have already seen successful events take place in Fleetwood, Stockport and Carlisle.

The decision comes after letters from Mr Davies to The Citizen describing people who called the EU a 'Jewish conspiracy' or a 'Vatican plot' as 'nutters'.

Mr Davies said: "The party is behaving like a schoolyard bully.

Its members send out a constant flow of distortions about the European Union, but as soon as someone has the courage to stand up to them the UK Independence Party runs away."