A GROUP of Middlewich councillors claim they are being ‘misrepresented’ on social media.

In a leaflet posted to residents, Middlewich First advised people to get in touch with them by email or telephone, rather than contacting them on Facebook.

The leaflet says that to 'avoid tit-for-tat exchanges' members were 'unable' to take part in some of the discussions.

Middlewich Town Mayor and Middlewich First councillor Samantha Moss told the Guardian: “It’s very easy to be a keyboard warrior.

“There is a lot of misinterpretation and what we don’t want is tit-for-tat and [for information] to get lost in an argument.

“We are working with every community group at the moment to help the town and Middlewich First councillors have put a lot of effort into assisting with the set-up of events in the town.

“Somebody commented on a picture of the market saying that we only turned up for the photo. That blatantly wasn’t true, Middlewich First councillors were there for three hours beforehand.

“We may not be on there all the time as individual councillors but we’ve made a concerted effort to increase our presence with our Facebook group.

“We are always open to questions and will happily take them from anyone who wants to get in touch.”

However, opposition Labour councillor Cllr Mike Hunter said: “I’m all for open and transparent local government. Councillors have a duty to be just that, even if they know the answer won’t get the response they like.

“A large number of residents feel that they want to ask questions on the community groups.

"So why aren’t they entitled to a response on there?

“In this day and age when you sign up to be a councillor you should accept the fact that it is expected of you to have a presence on social media.

“To be honest I don’t think Middlewich First are misrepresented, they’re just being asked difficult questions.”