A COUNCILLOR campaigning for Bolton to be recognised as part of Lancashire has been told to “get over it” — and accept the town is in Greater Manchester.

Cllr John Walsh asked leader of the council Cllr Cliff Morris to consider including “the true and proper geographical location of Bolton Lancashire” on road signs and street benches ahead of Lancashire Day in November.

But Cllr Morris told the Astley Bridge Tory to stop his campaign and move on during a heated exchange at Wednesday’s full council.

He said: “We are in Greater Manchester and have been for 30 years — get over it. I suggest you get into the real world. These types of motions are for times when we have money coming out of our ears — but we still have to find cuts.

“Celebrate Lancashire Day by all means, no one is stopping you, but don’t expect the council to foot the bill.”

Bolton was made part of Greater Manchester under the Local Government Act in 1974, where previously it had been considered a part of Lancashire — a county thought to have been founded in the 12th century.

In April Eric Pickles, secretary of state for local government, announced a relaxation of regulations which would enable councils to include the traditional county names on boundary road signs.

Cllr Walsh, a member of the Friends of Real Lancashire, has marked Lancashire Day for many years by presenting the Mayor of Bolton with a red rose on November 27.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Walsh said Cllr Morris’ attitude in the council chamber was unacceptable.

He said: “His performance wasn’t very statesman-like. His whole demeanour was quite frankly disgraceful.

“The public feel strongly about this and rightly so. You can’t dismiss a thousand years of history in the fashion.

“It is disgraceful to believe Greater Manchester overrides Lancashire.

It seems to me he is more bound with his relationship with Greater Manchester than the historic links with Lancashire.”