A ROW has broken out between two prospective MP candidates after UKIP distributed a leaflet claiming that many people "do not feel safe" shopping in Grays.

Labour candidate Polly Billington has accused UKIP candidate Tim Aker of "giving up on Grays", "doing down local business" and "playing on local fears" during his campaign to be elected as a councillor in Aveley and Uplands.

Mr Aker responded angrily, saying it is "typical of Labour to parachute in a candidate to start lecturing local people about what is best for the community."

The spat comes after Mr Aker distributed a leaflet to homes in Aveley last week which said he will campaign for the return of the 370 bus - which goes from Lakeside to Upminster - through the town.

Aveley is currently served by the 22 bus, which links the town with Grays. The return of the 370 would give residents the chance to access Upminster, which is two-and-a-half miles closer to Aveley than Grays is.

The leaflet said: "Why is Aveley always left behind? They could easily re-route the 370 through Aveley. Many commuters and pensioners relied on these services. Many do not feel safe going into Grays to do their shopping."

But Ms Billington said: "Tim Aker has given up on Grays town centre and instead is urging people to shop away from Thurrock in Upminster.

"I am standing up for our town centre, bringing businesses together to discuss regeneration, working with campaigners to save the State Cinema, and with C2C to get a safe replacement to the dangerous level crossing, as well as talking to the local police about tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

"What is UKIP doing? Doing down local business and playing on people's fears. If you want to be MP for Thurrock you should be standing up for the whole community not giving up on Grays.

"It's typical of the way UKIP sets people against each other and comes up with no answers. Where in Thurrock is he going to start slagging off next?"

Mr Aker responded: "It is typical of Labour to parachute in a candidate, who applied for a seat near Newcastle before treating Thurrock as her back-up option, to start lecturing local people about what is best for the community.

"I was born in Thurrock. I live in Thurrock. My office is in Grays, where I live. I spend money in local businesses virtually every day and speak to business people here. I'm here to serve Thurrock as a whole, whilst Labour seem to want to scaremonger and divide those living in Aveley against those living and working in Grays. Not on my watch.

"I have grown up in this community and know that whilst the likes of Polly Billington can afford to do as they please, local elderly residents in particular need affordable options to remain active in their later years, which a new bus route would provide.  It is sad that Labour oppose a new bus route for Aveley.

"This is about quality of life. It is something I speak to local residents about on a daily basis and which I am passionate about. I make absolutely no apologies for it.

"Thurrock doesn’t need a candidate from London coming in and lecturing those of us who grew up in the area about what's best for residents."

Mr Aker announced last week that he will be standing as candidate for Aveley in the by-election there next month. He is currently an MEP for the Eastern Region and MP candidate for Thurrock in 2015 General Election.