LABOUR MP David Crausby has launched a withering attack on a wannabe councillor over claims he has refused to support residents battling for a better bus service.

Bolton Council hopeful Warren Fox claims Mr Crausby had told him he would not work with his party and the Conservatives to lobby transport bosses for an hourly bus service in Astley Bridge.

But Mr Crausby has hit back at the prospective Lib Dem candidate saying: "People voted for me — not him."

Mr Fox contacted the MP after bus firm Arriva cancelled the 535 and 537 routes — which have since been replaced by a reduced service operated by UK Coachways.

Mr Crausby said he will not work with other parties because he wants residents with issues to contact him directly and not through someone who is “trying to publicise themselves ahead of the local elections”.

He said: “With all due respect, Mr Fox has not been elected by the people of Astley Bridge, they voted for me and not him, he actually lives in Halliwell.

“I think most people should see through what he is doing — but I am and have always been very happy to deal with residents directly, be it on the phone, at my surgeries or on Facebook."

He added: "When the initial changes were announced and then the new service brought in I have been speaking to the providers and Transport for Greater Manchester and lobbying for a better deal for my constituents."

Mr Fox said he felt the MPs refusal to collaborate with other parties showed a “shocking disregard” for those who elected him.

He added: “In July when the service changes were first mentioned I wrote to Mr Crausby to ask if he would help support residents in Astley Bridge who were concerned they were going to be end up isolated without access to public transport.

“Six unanswered emails later and Mr Crausby has now got in touch to refuse any offer of support to residents at all.”

The Bolton North East MP, who was re-elected in May, says the last coalition government of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are to blame for a faltering bus service.

He added: “I am always happy to speak with any of my constituents. If Mr Fox has a problem with the buses in Halliwell then he can speak to me about that.”