A councillor has been rapped for handing out a questionnaire poking fun at his political opponents during a meeting.

Daniel Yates, Labour group leader at Adur Council, gave out sheets headed End Of Term Quiz.

The quiz made barbed references to one-time Liberal group leader Martin Moore, who was earlier this month jailed for smuggling heroin into court cells.

Coun Yates also aimed his wit at the Lib Dems for failing to field any candidates in the forthcoming local elections.

He wrote: "As this is the last meeting of full council before the elections, I thought to inject some light relief (but not the foil-wrapped kind one ex-Adur Liberal group leader carried) I would ask you to complete the following."

A series of multiple-choice questions followed which made jibes at the opposing party.

One question read: "When you first heard there were no Lib Dem candidates did you: a) Check you weren't dreaming then run around the room laughing? b) Start a sweepstake on the number of different explanations that would be given in the press? c) Phone a friend to check who the Lib Dems were?"

Another said: "Select the correct end to this sentence: Ex Adur Lib Councillor gets ... a) to spend more time with their family, b) to concentrate on running Lancing Parish Council, c) three years and nine months."

Lib Dem councillors at the meeting on April 16 were not amused. Most screwed the sheets up in anger.

Their leader Lisa Vaughan, who is standing down after 12 years on the council, found it so offensive she complained to the chairman who asked Coun Yates to make an apology. He stood up at the end of the meeting and said sorry.

Coun Vaughan said: "I was deeply offended. I thought it had no bearing whatsoever with the present members. It was not intended in a light-hearted way. It was meant to ridicule Lib Dems.

"Daniel's idea of an apology didn't come up to scratch. He thought it was some big joke."

Lib Dem councillor Sharon Wood said: "It was a little bit inappropriate and I don't want to waste my time over rubbish like that, quite frankly. There are far more important things to worry about."

Conservative councillors were equally unimpressed.

Coun Paul Graysmark said: "It was supposed to be light-hearted but it annoyed the Lib Dems and had a nasty twist.

"It demonstrates a lack of judgement and it was very juvenile."

Labour's election organiser Nigel Sweet said: "Daniel has a very sharp sense of humour. It was a little bit of light-hearted fun making a political point as well. It was his witty salute to them.

"Daniel is a bit of a joker. He is a real live wire. There was no intention to offend anybody. Some people don't always see the funny side."

Coun Yates last night refused to stand down.

He said: "I was shocked anyone could take offence. Sometimes we as councillors get seen as taking ourselves too seriously and I think it's important to highlight some of the more ironic issues.

"Not everybody has my sense of humour."