Residents have jumped to the defence of a town branded “grim” by a councillor – telling him to “mind his own business”.

Christopher Hawtree, who represents Central Hove on Brighton and Hove City Council, voiced his opinions about Newhaven on social media website Twitter.

Within minutes of the remarks, the Green politician, who will stand for the party in Hove at the 2015 general election, received a flurry of online responses defending the port town.

Despite the barrage of complaints, the unrepentant councillor later posted: “I stand by my view that Newhaven is grim.”

I stand by my view that Newhaven is grim.

— Christopher Hawtree (@chrishawtree) October 3, 2013

Coun Hawtree posted the comments to his 747 followers on Thursday evening.

The first read: “Haunted by sign outside Newhaven church asking people to join in prayers for God to be merciful to the town. He's not yet been thus inclined.”

Coun Hawtree later added: “Sign on side of a church: ‘Dream with us about God’s plan for Newhaven’. It will be a long prayer.”

The third said: “Newhaven. The bus is stopping for a long while but nobody is getting off (understandable) or on (puzzling).”

In response, Norman Baker, who represents the town in Westminster as MP for Lewes, said: “This councillor is clearly completely ill informed. He should spend more time concentrating on his own patch.

“Newhaven has been badly treated over the years by surrounding authorities – not least by the likes of Brighton and Hove who placed an incinerator there.

“Newhaven has a great community and the town is actually doing pretty well.”

Julie Carr, the town’s mayor, said she was “appalled” by the remarks and invited Coun Hawtree on a tour of her home town.

She added: “I’m really disappointed that someone who hasn’t taken the trouble to come over and meet the |people and see what is happening would chose to make those sorts of comments.

“I think Brighton has problems of its own at the moment and this councillor should concentrate on those rather than sticking his noise where it isn’t wanted.

“He clearly knows nothing about Newhaven and should mind his own business.

“I would be very happy to meet him and show him round. We have a fantastic town and a great community spirit.

The Argus contacted Coun Hawtree for a comment yesterday but he did not respond at the time of going to print.