A COUNCILLOR has been given a warning by town hall officers after fears that a pear and four apples she accepted on different occasions could be construed as gifts.

Middlesbrough Council feared it could be reported to the Standards Board for England if it did not issue the warning to independent councillor Joan McTigue.

Last night, Coun McTigue accused the council of being malicious after she received a written warning from the authority's legal officer, Richard Long.

The Beechwood ward councillor admits being offered a pear, four apples and two plant cuttings, during months of site meetings with the council's planning committee.

Coun McTigue said: "It's so ludicrous.

"I take my job very seriously, planning in particular. I never miss a site visit.

"I accepted them out of politeness. I admired the pear tree and the apples and I was offered the fruit, so it was polite for me to accept.

"Do they think I can be bought for one pear and four apples? It is disgraceful and pathetic."

Coun McTigue said that if she is offered fruit or cuttings in future, while on a site visit, she will ask the chairman of the committee to decide whether she might accept the gift.

A council spokesman said: "The council has a duty to give advice to any councillor if it is concerned that their actions could lead to someone reporting them or the council to the Standards Board or Ombudsman.

"As the council has made clear in its letter to the councillor, it is best for themselves, the public and the council that they avoid the slightest suggestion of partiality whenever they are on public business."