TORY plans to cut public spending would wreck regeneration projects in Swindon, according to the South West TUC.

The Conservatives announced last week that if elected they would reduce taxes by cutting bureaucracy.

But the South West TUC has hit back at the announcement, saying that while the Tories claim to be able to raise £700m by selling land and property being developed by the Regional Development Agencies, this would jeopardise projects like the regeneration of Swindon town centre.

Nigel Costley, regional secretary of the South West TUC, said: "Far from a cull of quangos, this will sound the death knell for some exciting projects to regenerate the most needy sites.

"Derelict land and properties are being turned around, sometimes after decades of decay. A Tory sale would set back the hopes of local communities."

He added that projects like the regeneration of Swindon town centre simply wouldn't happen if the plans were put in place.

Other projects in the suth west which the TUC says would be affected include the regeneration of Gloucester Docks; Royal William Yard, St Austell; Camborne, Redruth and RNAS Portland, as well as work at Lister-Petter in Dursley and the former TA Centre in Falmouth.