A Halesowen councillor has slammed an election rival for what he claims was an attempt to mislead voters.

Ken Turner, last week returned as ward councillor for Hayley Green and Cradley South, was left fuming by a photograph used in a promotional leaflet by Labour candidate Mike Kelly.

The image showed a street strewn with litter and councillor Turner believes it carried the implication the ward has a current litter problem.

Cllr Turner said: "The picture was not taken in Hayley Green and I have reason to believe the street is not even in Dudley borough.

"I find it totally unreasonable to suggest to people this is the condition of the town.

"The most important thing is people are honest and if you can't be honest at election time, when can you be?

"How much can you trust anything they are saying?"

Cllr Turner was also critical of his rivals for what he claims was an uncontested election campaign.

The 64-year-old's victory was achieved after scooping more than 50 per cent of the vote and a comfortable majority of 992.

He said: "The electorate was not served fully by the other candidates. I doubt many people knew who they were until they went to the polls."

Labour candidate Mike Kelly defended the decision to use the photograph in the flyer, claiming it had been used to demonstrate the importance of maintaining a weekly refuse collection.

He said: "It does not say at any point on the leaflet the street is in Halesowen.

"Creating a safe clean environment is a high priority for the Dudley Labour Group."