MEMBERS of Lyme Regis Football Club have taken the unprecedented move of buying a full page advertisement in the Lyme News to counteract what they say are "scurrilous statements" made by Uplyme Parish Council.

At the last meeting of the parish council, councillors claimed that the football club had inflated the number of teams they run to strengthen their case for the Strawberry Field project.

Councillor John Duffin said that he did not think the football club had enough players to fill all the teams.

The parish council opposes the Strawberry Field project on the grounds that it will destroy an area of outstanding natural beauty overlooking the Lym Valley, causing light and noise pollution.

The football club has hit back this week by listing all the senior players who have signed for the club.

The advertisement has been paid for by the members themselves, with assistance from officials and supporters.

The club says its has 70 registered senior players, ample to field four men squads of 14, and expect to have at least 18 players for the Lazers women's team. The club also expects to have over 90 junior players, from ages five to 14, on its books.

Secretary Martin Edwards has also confirmed that the club has 12 competitive teams affiliated to various leagues and expects to field three additional teams playing cup or friendly football during the coming season.

He estimates the playing membership to be over 170 with social members boosting the overall total to in excess of 250.

Mr Edwards, who has been secretary for eight years, added: "The number of players we have registered is more than ample to fulfill our playing commitments and we expect to complete all our fixtures in the various leagues as usual."

In the advertisement in this week's News, the football club accuses Uplyme Parish Council of "deliberate smear tactics" and says it takes "great exception to the irresponsible and seemingly desperate attempt" to discredit the club to gain support for their cause.

They call on Uplyme Parish Council to withdraw the allegation and make a public apology.

Officials of the club, including Mayor Barbara Austin, who is president of Lyme Regis FC, support the statement by the players.