FILTHY streets, dirty parks, a growing drug problem and overcrowding mark Southall as suffering 'inner-city deprivation', Mayor Ken Livingstone has admitted.

Mr Livingstone made the statement while under fire from Ealing's Tory Greater London Assembly member Richard Barnes on Wednesday last week.

"Southall now has all the problems that one would associate with inner-city stress, rather than the suburbs. No one planned that," the Mayor said during question time at the GLA's headquarters in central London.

He added: "What has happened in Southall is that there has been a major growth of population over the years and a major transformation of the population, which was not the result of a plan by Ealing Council. I suspect that Ealing Council has been running to adjust its plans to catch up with the reality of what happened."

But Mr Barnes claimed Mr Livingstone failed to understand the pressures placed on the town by its escalating population.

"Southall needs looking at seriously and I intend to raise the issue at every opportunity. The area is feeling the strains of more and more housing being packed into the area," he said.

"An unacceptably high population density has led to inner-city problems such as heavy traffic congestion, a lack of employment, filthy streets, filthy parks, decaying buildings, a high crime rate and a growing drugs problem.

"Social tensions are enormous and it's close to breaking point. I have invited Ken to come to Southall and meet the real people, the real community."

He added: "I will not let this issue go. Councillors have ignored and exploited the residents of Southall for too long and a corruption exists that has got the place by its neck. I am not targeting individuals or parties, I just want to fight for Southall."

Figures from January 2002 show Southall unemployment is currently 5.9 per cent of the eligible workforce, compared to the borough-wide figure of 4.5 per cent.

However, Southall MP Piara Khabra dismissed the claims, saying: "Southall as a community is thriving under the Labour Party. I can't accept what Ken Livingstone and Richard Barnes have said."

Council leader, Cllr John Cudmore, said: "It must be a long while since Ken Livingstone has visited Southall. Southall has its problems but is a dynamic, vibrant community which should not be stereotyped in this way."