A COUNCILLOR has been blasted by residents after reportedly branding the town's popular carnival as 's****'.

Angry residents have lambasted Cllr Emma Blake for her comments on social media, and defended the event, which attracts thousands of people to Ringwood every year.

Cllr Blake, who is vice-chairman of Ringwood Town Council's recreation and leisure committee, made the comments on a friend's Facebook page, saying she left London to 'get away from such s****'.

Cllr Blake's comments were re-posted on the public Ringwood Facebook page, attracting scores of responses.

And on another profile, she reportedly said: "Ringwood Carnival is over for another year. All I can say is that for the hell it is, at least it's only an afternoon and an evening and finishes around 11pm."

Residents commented on the Facebook post, saying: "This just confirms she neither understands or cares what the role of councillor means."

Another said: "I've moved from London to lovely Ringwood and I must say it was the best day ever. I enjoyed it with all my family so looking forward to next year."

One person said: "Surely she should be promoting the carnival as I would have thought the local shop owners make a few extra quid on Saturday. Wonder what they think of her being a councillor?"

Cllr Blake did publish an apology, which was later deleted, along with her Facebook page.

Describing the comment as a "throwaway" remark, she said: "In response to comments I understood to be about noise and rowdiness in the town, I remarked that I left London to “get away” from such “s****”.

"The reference was in regard to the noise, danger, and stress of large events that I experienced growing up in the capital, and was in no way intended to mean that I felt that the Ringwood Carnival, which gives such pleasure and fun to so many was, or is, “s****”."

She said she regretted the remark had caused such "grave offence".

"It is a shame that a throwaway remark made on a personal friend's page, which actually alluded to the noise and unpleasantness of London, should have been taken in such a manner. It was certainly not my intention."

When contacted by the Daily Echo, Cllr Blake said she had no further comment to make.

The Daily Echo also contacted the town council over the matter. No-one was available for comment.

Independent Ringwood councillor, Philip Day, said: "Ringwood Town Carnival is the biggest event that's put on in Ringwood every year.

"It attracts thousands of people and is a great boost for the local economy.

"Everyone thoroughly enjoys it and it is a fantastic day out.

"I find it difficult to believe that anybody would think that it was anything other than wonderful.

"It is not for me to comment on her conduct.

"I would be surprised if her Conservative colleagues did not have something to say about it."

He added: "It is an unfortunate remark to put it mildly.

"I don't know anyone who thinks the carnival is anything other than completely brilliant."

In April, Ringwood Town Council adopted a social media policy after deciding to set-up their own Facebook page.

Concerns were raised at the time over damaging social media comments, but members were reassured the page was to be information only, without an opportunity to comment.