Fashion designer Wayne HemingwayCLAIMS that south Swindon's new housing estates are 'worse than prisons' have sparked fury amongst residents of the area.

Fashion designer Wayne Hemingway has branded housing estates in south Swindon as the worst in the UK.

His outspoken comments in the latest edition of the journal, Building Design, have sparked fury among residents in Freshbrook, Toothill and Grange Park.

The former Big Breakfast regular and creator of fashion label Red or Dead is credited with bringing affordable style to the masses. He works as a design consultant for Wimpey Homes.

But his face won't be welcome in south Swindon after placing developments there at the top of his self-compiled 'c**p housing estates' league table.

So bleak is the area, claims Hemingway, 44, that he would rather live in Strangeways the notoriously uncompromising Manchester prison.

Hemingway even has the cheek to say that porridge-eating lags would snub the estates.

He describes the Swindon estates as classic prison-style housing that is "jaw-droppingly bad".

The designer writes: "I pulled off the M4 to get a closer look at some large-scale developments in Swindon.

"I've seen some bad stuff but this goes straight to the top.

"What we saw was jaw-droppingly bad even my kids were animated. The eldest two said it was worse than halls of residence.

"I explained to her that unless parents help their kids out then this, in general, is what this country has to offer first-time buyers."

Mr Hemingway claimed that all you would have to do to make the developments look like a prison is add a watchtower and barbed wire.

"At least felons actually have room to exercise," he said.

Coun Douglas Stewart (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) thinks the comments are unwarranted.

He said: "Everybody across the country likes to take the p*** out of Swindon. But I am a Swindonian and I am proud of our town.

"It's wrong to single Swindon out. Developers across the country have been building homes like these for years."

Coun Stewart added that residents would soon be receiving leaflets detailing the plan-of-action to improve Swindon's image to outsiders.

Coun Chris Shepherd (Lib Dem), who represents the Grange Park and Freshbrook areas, said Hemingway's comments were "complete b******s".

"There are some lovely areas throughout Swindon so his comments are just daft."

Fuming residents in west Swindon have rubbished comments made about housing in the town.

Christine Smutek, 51, of Westminster Road, Fresh-brook, was equally critical about Hemingway's comments.

"I don't think it's like a prison as rooms in houses around here are big," she said.

"We have been here for 21 years and we were happy to bring up a family here. I've never had any problems."

Barbara Field, 47, of Sudeley Way, Grange Park, said estates in Swindon were comparable to others up and down the country. Swindon has always been a target but I think people are entitled to have their own opinion," she said.

"I mean it's not as though he's talking about me personally and I don't think others should take it personally."

Ben Payne