MALVERN Town Council has hit back at its leading critic by questioning how he spent public cash.

Former Mayor Adrian Ward has complained about the cost of refurbishing the former Manders pharmacy and the expense of last year's Christmas lights.

But a motion, due to be discussed at a Malvern Town Council meeting tonight, calls for an investigation into the "advice, guidance, staffing and financial management exercised by former Coun Ward and the absence of strategic management and forward financial planning" when he was in office from 1996-99.

Personal

The motion alleges Mr Ward was saved from "acute embarrassment" in 1998 only by a £490,000 loan, after he "dismissed" the need for a capital and revenue budget for the Manders project.

Mr Ward has branded the motion "slanderous" and "full of inaccuracies".

"It beggars belief, because I was only one of 25 councillors," said Mr Ward.

"It's sad the council has chosen to make this personal."