Labour Councillors Jim Montgomerie and Joe Cullinane have written a joint letter to Channel 5 bosses telling them their ‘benefit porn’ is not welcome in the local area.

Channel 5 bosses confirmed to the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald that they had sent researchers to Stevenston and had delivered flyers to local shops asking local people what life was like on benefits.

The TV bosses said no decision had been made to film in the town but one would likely be made in the next few weeks. .

But the two Labour councillors have now warned them not to come.

Speaking about the issue, Saltcoats and Stevenston Councillor Montgomerie said: “I am not going to sit back and allow our local area to be used by TV bosses in the way other areas in the country have.

“These ‘benefit porn’ programmes are divisive and do nothing but pit the working poor against the unemployed poor.

“They often take advantage of vulnerable people and can have an adverse impact on their lives.” He added: “I have made it clear to Channel 5 that they are not welcome in our area if they plan to portray our area in a bad light with this form of television.” Councillor Cullinane, Labour’s Scottish Parliament candidate for Cunninghame South, which includes Stevenston, added: “If Channel 5 think that they can roll into Stevenston and take advantage of local people and the community they are wrong.

“Myself and Jim have made it clear – they are not welcome.

“And if they do try and come, we will campaign to ensure it doesn’t go ahead.”