An inner-city ward has been labelled the “grimiest” in Carlisle.

Tory Gareth Ellis said he was “embarrassed” by the litter, dog fouling and conditions of the streets in Castle ward while out campaigning as part of a recent city council by-election.

Mr Ellis, who represents Belah on Carlisle City Council, hit out after concerns were raised about the issue of dog muck on the streets of areas north of the River Eden, including Stanwix.

Stephen Sidgwick, Labour councillor for Castle, said at a council meeting that people in Stanwix had told him not enough was being done to tackle the issue of dog fouling.

In response, Mr Ellis said of Castle ward: “It's by far the grimiest part of the city. I was ashamed to be a city councillor – the place was filthy.

"If it was like that in Stanwix or Lowry Hill we would be run out of this city.”

Castle Ward covers central parts of Carlisle including the city centre but also stretches into some neighbouring residential districts.

Mr Ellis later told the News & Star these comments were made “in the heat of the moment”, adding: “I've been in that area quite a lot campaigning for by-elections.

"The areas I'm talking about are the streets behind where the Ukrainian Club used to be.

"When I was there, someone actually came out of their house to talk about the state of the streets.

“When I was knocking on doors I actually felt embarrassed as a councillor about how bad it was. One of the issues are the weeds in the pavements, which cause them to lift. The responsibility was transferred over from the city council to Cumbria County Council and I don't think they've been maintained.”

He also stood by his remarks that he was embarrassed by the streets in some parts of Castle ward.

But he added: "There are some great parts of Castle ward but there are also some that aren't so great.”

Cumbria County Council said that all weeds on adopted streets had been sprayed within the last six months.