A STORM is raging this week, over claims made on a website that Burnham is a "chav" town, with some instead describing the resort as a "pensioners' paradise" and "one step from the graveyard".

The Weekly News revealed the online chav slurs on January 17 and since then, the story has been picked up by newspapers and TV media as reaction to the comments grows.

Accusations were made on the ChavTowns website that Burnham and Brean were the "most chav-filled holiday destinations in England" filled with "tat shops galore" and "young mums on benefit".

Both the Mayor and the town centre manager hit back at the comments and now scores of people have been in contact to slate the claims.

Highbridge woman Linda Britton said she disagreed with the remarks made on Burnham, but did offer her own perspective on problems with the town.

"I would describe Burnham as a pensioners' paradise; or as an elderly lady said to me once 'Burnham is one step from the graveyard'," she said.

"I think the town is geared up for older people with most of the jobs at the job centre being for care assistants. Berrow Road is full of care and residential homes. I see more older people in mobility vehicles than I see young people with pushchairs.

"The streets are always filthy, especially College Street, which was smeared in dog mess last week.

"The only accents I hear in the summer are usually from the Welsh or visitors from the Midlands. Although this is a seaside resort and we need our tourists the council seems to overlook the needs of the people who actually live here."

Burnham Chamber of Trade reacted with amusement at comments on the website that spoke disparagingly of the standard of stores in centre.

"It should come as no surprise to your readers that the chamber does not agree with the comments about the shops in the town," vice-chairman Alex Turco said.

"As it is rather difficult to communicate with an anonymous web profile, we should like to remind your readers that unlike in many towns, Burnham Town Centre has a good range of independent shops and chain stores.

"All of this means that the town described in your newspaper is not the town we recognise."

Even the Sedgemoor Tourism Association was drawn into the row, with secretary Paul Bowkett stressing Burnham welcomed all visitors.

"I don't consider our product elitist or discriminatory and much of the provision made is of equal benefit to our own local residents, as well as to those who are our visitors," he said.

"We should all recognise our welcome as honest and without condition, having no bearing on a person's creed, colour or individual personal persuasion, chav or otherwise."