A COUNCILLOR frustrated at lack of investment in Whitehaven and a 'lack of partnership working' employed colourful language to describe the town at a meeting last week.

In comments during the Whitehaven Town Council meeting on Thursday, Cumberland Councillor Emma Williamson referred to Whitehaven as a 's***hole'.

Cllr Williamson, councillor for the Kells and Sandwith ward, attended the meeting with other Cumberland councillors. There were also 36 members of the public in attendance.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Williamson confirmed the term she used during the meeting and said that Cumberland Council is going to work on a regeneration plan for the town centre - but said they can't do this without investment.

She said: "I said this in relation to the under-investment and the fact that we needed to work better with the town council as a partnership.

"If any of the town councillors don't see the state the town is in, I suggest they step down and let residents let councillors do something about it.

"We as a council are committed to improving my town and we want to work with anyone possible, that's what the meeting was about.

"Whitehaven has been under-invested in and it breaks my heart walking down King Street and seeing the state it's in.

"Before we got elected in April I can't remember the last time the streets were cleaned.

"It was the public that came to talk to me when I stood up and gave my statement, so what the meeting was about was discussing partnership working."

She continued: "It's brilliant to see the town council has been investing in flower baskets and the Harbour Commissioners renovating the harbour, but it's been a long time coming."

Brian O'Kane, who is a town councillor, spoke from his own perspective, he said: "I must admit I was greatly surprised at the phrase used the describe our town. 

"I found the phrase very hurtful personally as being a proud resident and I think people have to be careful in saying things like that because of the damage it can do to the community in terms of labelling them with such a derogatory piece of terminology.

"I think it damages the future reputation of the town, a town that's struggling to attract investment and people to move to the area. 

"I think the most important thing about our town is the people that live in it."