FAMOUS celebrities who criticise Barrow have been told they have got the town wrong.

Fed-up Barrow councillors have rounded on those slating the town on TV and in the national Press.

It follows comments about Barrow after last month’s BBC Question Time and remarks made by the American travel writer Bill Bryson.

He said in a recent book that his visit was unmemorable and described one street – believed to be Dalton Road – as like a “prison yard”.

But councillors fiercely defended their “wonderful town” and suggested famous personalities need to stay longer before jumping to conclusions.

Cllr Alan Pemberton, who represents the Hawcoat ward, told a council meeting at Barrow Town Hall: “I get fed up with comedians coming to The Forum or politicians on Question Time who walk down Dalton Road and Duke Street, have a quick look round, and then go on television or in the national Press and criticise Barrow when they haven’t seen anything but one or two streets.

“It really annoys me.

“We are trying to encourage people to come to Barrow to work and enjoy it, but the image celebrities present is totally false.”

Council leader Cllr David Pidduck, who represents Hindpool, told the meeting:  “This guy is from America where families send their children to school hoping they are going to survive the day without some wazzock turning up with a gun.

“For him to come to Barrow and start talking about prison yards…my advice is don’t come back.”

Cllr Rory McClure, who represents Roosecote, said everywhere had its issues but Barrovians were proud of the town and their roots.

“Someone people say it’s at the end of cul-de-sac, but that can be a good thing as well.

“Drive into Preston, Lancaster or Kendal – every town has got its faults,” said Cllr McClure.

“But there’s a great pride in Barrow.”

Former Barrow mayor and long-serving councillor Wendy Maddox, who represents Dalton South, said she always promoted the area on holiday when asked where she was from.

Council executive director Phil Huck said Barrow should be proud of its industry and manufacturing history.

“I get fed up of people coming here and slagging the place off, but it’s because they don’t know it,” said Mr Huck.

He said 27 per cent of the town’s output was manufacturing, which other towns would envy.

“We make stuff and if you look at other towns, they don’t do what we do.

“We need to be proud about the history of the town and not just consider ourselves as an adjunct to the Lake District – great though that is.

“Where we are, we can’t change, but we should be proud of it,” he said.

Cllr Pemberton asked if action could be taken against the owners of empty shops in Dalton Road with cracked or boarded-up windows which gave a bad impression.

Mr Huck said the council’s powers to intervene were “limited” unless the buildings became a public danger.

“What we have done is try and get the Barrow Business Improvement District to talk to the business owners. If the council talks to the owners, it often results in a stand-off. If it’s fellow businesses telling them about it, that’s often an easier conversation,” said Mr Huck.

He said the town centre suffered because some buildings are owned by out of town agents with no interest in Barrow.

“The agents are not that enthusiastic about marketing them if they don’t think the demand is there. The council has done an awful lot for the town centre – a huge amount – including shop front grants, we just can’t control what people say about it,” said Mr Huck.