A row has broken out over the bid by the Loughton Residents’ Association (LRA) to extend its influence countywide.

The party, which has long dominated the town council, achieved a spectacular success in the last district council elections, winning 12 seats to become the official opposition to the Conservatives.

It already has one county councillor in the shape of Chris Pond, pictured left, and is fielding candidates this time round in the seats of Chigwell and Loughton Broadway, and Buckhurst Hill and Loughton South.

Gavin Chambers, the Conservative district councillor for Buckhurst Hill West, claimed that residents of his town are not even allowed to join the LRA.

He added: “The idea of Loughton residents running Buckhurst Hill is absurd and frankly insulting.

“Please keep the LRA out, they really are a political party that does not belong in Buckhurst Hill.”

Cllr Pond said that people could join the Buckhurst Hill Residents’ Society instead, with whom he claims the LRA have ‘strong links’.

He added: “I’m surprised to hear that comment from Gavin Chambers, who started life as a Liberal Democrat.”