Last night's episode of Great Welsh Roads, saw presenter Mike Parker, 41, travel through Llandrindod Wells and onto other towns in Powys.

It was while visiting the town during last year's Victorian Festival in August that he said on camera: "Why don't they go the whole hog and introduce cholera in the town's water supply or send the kids up the chimneys?"

ITV's programme synopsis added insult to injury, claiming: "Llandrindod Wells' Victorian past seems to be the only key on offer to the town's future."

The comments have been blasted by irate county councillor Gary Price, who said that if Mr Parker re-visited the town, he would see an area undergoing great regeneration in preparation for a promising future.
He said: "These comments are shocking. They could damage the image of the county town of Powys. I really don't think that Mr Parker has seen enough of the town to offer a full and fair judgement.

"If he came to speak to me or anyone else from the town it would be clear to him that we are an area that is not relying on the past for the future.

"We are soon to be welcoming a new out-of-town development for the emergency services, while last year £2.5million was spent on updating older buildings.

"The Victorian Festival is a time of celebration of our past, yes, and it attracts tourists from far and wide, but we are a town on the up."
Councillor Derek Law, Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, supported Cllr Price's views, he said: "I would depricate any suggestion that we have nothing to offer, we have plenty to offer.

"Yes as far as the Victorian past is concerned it is very acceptable and very popular and it brings alot of people in. But we also happen to have alot of wonderful parks. How many towns are there in Britain where the green truly comes into the town?"

We also have the lake which people come from far and wide to see, from Wales and beyond. As well as our beautiful neighbouring countryside", he added.

Cllr Price also stressed that he was worried Mr Parker's comments about cholera could give some people ideas.

"What kind of comments are these? To say this could be dangerous. Imagine if someone listened to him and upset the watercourse. And as for saying that about our youth, I'm speechless.

"I grew up in Llandrindod Wells and know that while every town has a few bad eggs, the youth here are good people."

* What do you think? is Mike Parker right in his views? Add your comments below or write to 11c Broad Street, Welshpool, SY21 7LE.