District Councillors Michael Wyatt and Nick Rushton were involved in a heated exchange of words during Thursday's North West Leicestershire District Council meeting.

The pair clashed during the full council meeting in Coalville after Liberal Democrat councillor Wyatt described the current Conservative administration as a 'basket case' with members that should 'hold their heads in shame'.

Cllr Rushton - also leader of Leicestershire County Council - responded by describing Cllr Wyatt as someone with 'no principles'.

He also said that he hoped all four Lib Dem councillors were voted off the council at the May 4 elections.

Cllr Wyatt made a speech criticising the Conservative group's budget which will cut some services in Coalville, including a reduction in the number of litter bins.

He said: "In response to the administration's budget, I would like to say every member on the opposite side of this chamber should hold their heads in shame.

"You've ruined my town and you've failed to deliver what you promised 16 years ago and that was to regenerate Coalville, which you have constantly failed to do.

"History will show that the Tories had a golden opportunity to show they can be trusted to deliver on their promises, but history in fact will show you squandered the time in office by making cut after cut and reducing this democratic establishment to a basket case barely able to function and barely able to carry out its legal responsibilities.

"And concerning the issue of reducing the bins and looking at educating people, well, can I say this is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.

"Litter louts don't need educating, they need fining, which this council again fails to enforce.

"On May 4, the people of Coalville will be issuing their verdict on this administration by sending a clear message that you're fired."

Cllr Rushton hit back at the criticisms.

He said: "It's appalling what you say about this administration and how we handle Coalville.

"No leader in history has spent more money and time on trying to do our absolute utmost with Coalville.

"Then, you have the cheek to say there's no bins.

"And yet you abstained on the only Labour motion which actually kept the bins.

"I think you're duplicitous you're worse than any single Labour member because you have no principles.

"None whatsoever.

"You'll say anything you think will garner votes in the one bit of Coalville which you purport to represent.

"Hopefully, at the election, they'll chuck you four (Lib Dems) out - I'd rather have four good, honest Labour members than four duplicitous Liberals."