POLICE have criticised a Trowbridge councillor for whipping up a gay hate storm by branding homosexuals as perverts.

In a letter to the Wiltshire Times headed 'gays and lesbians are perverts', Liberal Democrat Cllr Ben Biddulph says homosexuality is an anti-Christian practice on a par with bestiality and paedophilia.

An article in the paper last week about two lesbians who were attacked after kissing in a pub sparked the outburst from Cllr Biddulph, 27.

He said: "Anyone with two brain cells to rub together can tell that homosexual activity is perverted. The only way it differs from incest, paedophilia or bestiality is that it happens to be fashionable."

Wiltshire Police said the words worked against their efforts to improve community safety.

Chief Inspector Nick Maslen said: "I would like to totally disassociate the Wiltshire Constabulary from the comments attributed to this councillor.

"The comments show a complete misunderstanding of the issues around homosexuality.

"To equate being gay or lesbian with paedophilia is dangerous and completely wrong and does a grave disservice to the hard work of people over the years who have tried to achieve fairer treatment for gay and lesbian people."

Cllr Biddulph, of Newtown, Trowbridge, has been criticised by members of his own party for the comments, who have complained to party officials.

Cllr Steve Squires, chairman of the Trowbridge branch of the Liberal Democrats, said: "We are supposed to be a tolerant party and a caring party.

"I have referred it to the chairman of the local constituency party who will see what the next steps are."

Cllr Biddulph was elected to the town council in May and represents College ward.

Despite not condoning Cllr Biddulph's views, town mayor Glyn Bridges said some people would support him because biblical teachings say sexual activity outside marriage is contrary to 'what God wants'.

"People might not agree with what particular people do with their lives but it is a free society," he said.

"By the nature of Liberal Democrats they are supposed to be liberal but these views are clearly not liberal."

A spokesman at the Lib Dem headquarters in London said: "Clearly, these are his own personal views and not a party policy. The course of action taken is down to local party members."