A Keighley town councillor’s offer to help find an alternative venue for a Calderdale-based burlesque festival ignited a furious reaction from one Keighley resident.

Councillor Tony Wright was responding to a decision by Hebden Royd Town Council to refuse permission for Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival to stage an event at its Picture House.

Coun Wright, who chairs the town council’s events committee, confirmed he suggested online that the performance could instead be hosted in Keighley.

But his idea has been attacked by Ingrow resident Elizabeth Mitchell, who said it amounted to inviting an “all female, full nudity striptease festival”.

Mrs Mitchell, a member of the Cavetown Council group that has been fiercely critical of Keighley Town Council, added: “Should Coun Wright not be asking for the opinions of the electorate on such an emotive issue?

“And should he not be seeking guidance from his fellow councillors by raising this at full council?”

She also asked what venue in Keighley could possibly be thought of as suitable by Coun Wright for an event like this.

Coun Wright responded: “Anyone who knows anything about British burlesque would understand it is an art form.

“Obviously, Mrs Mitchell is ignorant in what she understands burlesque to be. For her to attribute a suggestion that I want to see an ‘all female, full nudity, striptease festival’ is at the very best deluded, and shows her poor grasp of British tradition and humour.”

Heidi Waddington, co-producer of Hebden Bridge Burlesque Festival, said she was pleased to hear about Coun Wright’s support, but explained she was currently focused on still trying to secure a Hebden Bridge venue.

Responding to Mrs Mitchell, she said: “Burlesque isn’t a strip show or lap-dancing. Performers are never nude and it isn’t all female – there are many male burlesque performers.”