THE French town used to mock a Ribble Valley village in a national advertising campaign has been given a taste of its own medicine.

Renault depicted the sunshine-drenched Côte d’Azur in stark contrast to its dismal portrayal of Gisburn.

But now a holidaymaker has revealed the side of Menton the carmaker didn’t show.

Jeff Heenan-Davies went on holiday to the resort and photographed what he jokingly described as ‘manky Menton’.

He captured graffiti on buildings and trains, unfinished building works, a man sleeping on a bench, and a picture of Restaurant La Grotte.

Mr Heenan-Davies, who hails from the Vale of Glamorgan and spent a week in the French town, said he hoped his tongue-in-cheek efforts would ‘redress the balance’.

And he sent them to the Lancashire Telegraph for Gisburn residents to see.

He said: “It’s lovely for the most part, especially the old town but, as anywhere, decrepitude of 21st century grot creeps in as these images illustrate.

“I realise the Renault ad campaign was just a bit of fun, but these pictures should be shown to redress the balance.

“At least the residents of Gisburn should enjoy them.”

Ribble Valley Mayor Lois Rimmer had criticised Renault for its depiction of Gisburn.

On Mr Heenan-Davies’ pictures, she said: “Ooh la la, it seems Menton is not so perfect after all.

“Ribble Valley has been described as the Dordogne of Britain and has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country, as well as award-winning restaurants, shops and schools.

“It just goes to show that you can find good and bad everywhere, although the Renault advertisement certainly gave us the opportunity to tell the world how beautiful Gisburn really is.”

Renault’s advertising campaign was created by advertising agency Publicis London and posed the question ‘Can a car change a town?’ The first advert contrasts a swimming pool in Menton to a puddle in Gisburn; a French couple eating in a restaurant to an old couple on a picnic bench; and designer heels with slippers.

It followed the journey of Menton resident Claude as he drove to Gisburn from France aiming to bring ‘Joie de vivre’ to Gisburn.

But this left villagers in the affluent Ribble Valley village scratching their heads at the damning portrayal of the picturesque village.

Click below to see the picture gallery of the other side of Menton.