AN MP was today accused of helping wreck a town's image - because of his 'scruffy' appearance.

Burnley's Peter Pike was slammed as "one of the worst-dressed MPs in Westminster" by council critic Harry Brooks, who has labelled the MP's dress sense 'disastrous." Now the firebrand councillor has tabled a notice of motion to next week's full council meeting calling on the MP to smarten up.

But ruling Labour leaders were today quick to condemn the personal attack and say the move won't even be allowed on the catwalk of council debate.

And Mr Pike dismissed the move as 'absolute nonsense.'

The motion from Burnley's only Independent councillor asks fellow members to note "the apparent disregard for dress standards" shown by the MP.

And it calls on members to urge Mr Pike "to strive for a level of sartorial improvement appropriate to his standing and responsibilities as a principal representative" of the borough.

"Peter is a hard-working chap but his dress sense, or lack of it, is disastrous," he added

But Burnley's Labour council leader Kath Reade, said she understood the motion would be ruled out of order.

"We will not be distracted by unhelpful issues," she said

Mr Pike added: "Even if it were true, it really is stupid."

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