LABOUR and Conservative councillors accused each other of having their "heads in the sand" during a debate on the Boxing Day floods at last week's council meeting.

After the ruling Labour group proposed a motion calling on the government to reverse "savage" cuts to public services and apply for the £125 million available for flood relief from the EU Solidarity Fund, arguments broke out in which both sides claimed their opponents were throwing "slurs" around the council chambers.

Introducing the motion, Cllr Luise Fitzwalter said: "The floods have shed an unforgiving spotlight on the government's cuts and shown why they are so dangerous.

"Volunteers can only compliment proper services. The council, police, fire service, Environment Agency, and flood defence fund have all been cut.

"The Environment Agency had a plan for Ramsbottom and Radcliffe but they didn't have the money to implement it. The government have downgraded flood defences that could have saved this borough.

"Tory cuts ruined lives and their councillors here seem oblivious to it."

Cllr Alan Quinn added: "£125 million is available from the EU Solidarity Fund. If David Cameron had applied now then 10 per cent of that could already be being used to help victims in this country, but instead he is running scared from a ludicrous fringe of his party."

The Conservative group saw an amendment to the motion, which welcomed the funding assistance so far provided by the government, voted down.

Cllr James Daly, deputy Conservative leader, said: "If the Labour group want to have a left wing debate like 16-year-olds then they should do it amongst themselves. Why can't they suggest a policy?

"I'm extremely confident that the money the council has spent on dealing with the floods will be reimbursed by the government."

Conservative group leader Cllr Iain Gartside added: "I'm saddened that this has turned into a party political debate, and that was started by the Labour group. The human spirit of this borough through the flooding crisis was second to none."

Labour's Cllr Nick Parnell accused councillors opposite of not having "a shred of humanity", while Cllr Jamie Walker suggested that any funds secured could be used to provide mental health services for flood victims.