CATFORD'S inhabitants say their town is "sad and tired", "dirty" and an "absolute disgrace".

Last month News Shopper, sister newspaper of This Is Local London, invited residents to share their views on the town, in response to a Canadian visitor who renamed it "Crapford".

But instead of leaping to the defence of Catford, a host of residents have contacted us to stick the knife into their home town.

Clevon Cottrell, of Thornsdeach Road, wants to see Catford given a major clean-up.

Mr Cottrell, 70, said: "There are a lot of dirty people in Catford.

"I never see any road sweepers here, the paving stones are terrible and I have never seen so much dog mess in my life."

Maureen Whybrow, 72, who has lived in the town for 67 years, said: "This place has turned from a thriving shopping area into a dump. There is no doubt it is Crapford."

The debate was started by Jane Fraser, from Ontario, Canada, who wrote to us after a trip to Catford to visit friends.

In her letter she described the town's indoor market as "pathetic" and its shops as "tacky".

Anna Price, of Inchmery Road, shares similar feelings on the town's retail offerings.

She said: "My family moved here 40 years ago and it was a lovely place to live then.

"Now it looks sad and tired. The arcade of shops is shabby and the precinct never looks clean.

"I now rarely shop in Catford and go to Bromley instead."

Another resident, Bernard Morgan, is unhappy the ABC Cinema, which closed four years ago, has not yet been replaced.

He added: "The town is an absolute disgrace.

"It is dirty, there is no cinema and the shops are all £1 shops.

"They should rename it poundland."

Defending the town, Catford town centre manager Petra Smith said: "Roadsweepers visit Catford daily to maintain a clean and litter-free environment.

"The shopping precinct has stepped up its cleaning programme and we will give it a makeover in the spring with paint, new light fittings and benches."

Deputy mayor Gavin Moore added the town's prospects have "never been better", with a host of regeneration projects planned.