A COUNCIL leader has leapt to the defence of High Wycombe after it was longlisted for the title of ‘Britain’s Crappest Town’.

Wycombe District Council Leader Cllr Richard Scott said while the town is ‘not perfect it does not deserve a place on THAT list’.

Wycombe was nominated for the dubious honour of being named the country’s worst town to live in ahead of the soon-to-be-released book Crap Towns Returns - Back By Unpopular Demand.

But Cllr Scott hit back at the remarks made in a damning assessment on the book's website.

In a letter to the BFP, Cllr Scott highlighted Wycombe’s shopping and entertainment experience, excellent schools and award-winning parks as features any town would be proud to have.

The letter reads: “I write to defend High Wycombe's honour and outline why I really don't think it deserves a place on THAT list, as that is not the town I recognise.

"For entertainment and culture we have a fantastic theatre offering a broad range of high class productions; family friendly entertainment in the form of a bowling alley and cinemas; an array of eating establishments, pubs and bars catering for all tastes.

“In addition, there is our very own Wycombe Museum with its proud heritage of furniture making.

“It is also one of only a few towns in the country with a Purple Flag Award, meaning it is recognised for offering evening visitors an entertaining and safe night out.

“If you want great shopping, the Eden centre offers some big names and independents: we have an enduring High Street; the Chilterns Centre is home to some key national retailers and we have a well established and thriving market.

“The Rye, a Green Flag winning park covering 53 acres, is a prime example of well used open space and leisure activities, including two play areas for children and young people, football pitches and an open air swimming pool.

“The town is also home to some smaller parks, local nature reserves and woodland, and of course it is surrounded by some stunning countryside.

“We are proud to support of our local football team, Wycombe Wanderers, and London Wasps is also based at Adams Park.

“We are currently building a brand new sports and leisure centre at Handy Cross and there is a wide range of other sports and leisure clubs in the town, which are always ready to welcome new members.

“We offer excellent education and business opportunities through our high achieving schools, a fantastic university, a skilled workforce and strong transport connections.

“Community spirit is strong, as evidenced by the people who've made High Wycombe their home town.

“High Wycombe may not be perfect in everyone's eyes, but don't knock it and definitely don't add it to THAT list!

"We're proud of our town and would recommend it as a great place to live, work and visit.”

A story on the BFP’s website on the nomination received more than 100 comments, with almost 50 responding directly to Chris Smith’s assassination of the town and its residents on the book’s website.

Released in 2003, the original Crap Towns: the 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK, dubbed "the Doomsday Book of misery", sold more than 100,000 copies.

To read the piece by Mr Smith and to have your say on High Wycombe town, visit www.craptownsreturns.com