BOLTON Council has defended the funding of faith groups, after a petition calling for funding to be ceased was presented at Wednesday night’s full council meeting.

Faith-based groups in Bolton have received more than £4 million of funding from the council over a nine-year period.

A petition organised by Bolton resident Christopher Banks has received more than 900 signatures on Change.org.

Handing it in at Wednesday night’s full council meeting in Bolton Town Hall, Mr Banks said: “The figures behind the funding show disconcerting levels of discrimination against different faiths in the allocation of funding.

“The largest majority faith in Bolton has not been granted the largest funding, instead a minority faith with only a fifth the size has been granted three times more funding than the largest faith group in Bolton.

“The public I hope, carefully consider that their anger should not be directed towards any faith groups but instead that anger should be directed towards positive change in the May local elections by voting for a candidate who does not support discrimination.”

In response a joint statement was issued by the leaders of Bolton’s political parties and read out by the leader of the council, Cllr Linda Thomas.

It read: “We, the leaders of political groups in Bolton, are proud of the work all of our faith groups do to build strong and cohesive communities.

“Particularly in light of recent events, we are conscious that some people are attempting to spread seeds of disharmony but we stand together against any attempts to spread division.

“It is legitimate to question how public money is being spent but it should not be used as an excuse to single out any faith group or community.

“Now is the time to strengthen relations between communities and with one voice we speak out against any hatemongers who seek to divide us and sow seeds of fear.

“The work our faith groups do is invaluable in bringing communities together, and we celebrate their contribution.”

In response, Mr Banks said that he took exception to the use of the word 'hatemongers' in the council's joint statement.

“I felt my speech was very positive and I said not to direct any hate towards faith groups,” he added.