OUTRAGED people in Trowbridge have defended their town after an anonymous article labelled it the “armpit of Wiltshire” and an “unpolished turd town”.

A huge reaction has been sparked by the article, which was published online at ilivehere.co.uk, attacking the town’s appearance, its businesses, schools and residents, claiming it is a “laughing stock of a town”, “distinctly grim” and “pointless”.

It also says independent businesses and local trade are dying, creating an “uninspiring start” for those with aspirations.

Many people have hit back on social media to hit back at the writer, pointing out that Trowbridge was labelled the most up-and-coming town by a digital newspaper just a year ago, and criticising their decision to post anonymously.

Tracey Parker, president of the Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce and owner of independent Leykers Café said: “I do not hold much in the way of this article because it is written anonymously. I truly believe if you have got something to say you put your name to it. This website does trounce every town, it is not just Trowbridge.

“Locals should be bigging up their town and focusing on the positive things about it, there is far too much negativity in life as it is. Our town is beautiful, we have a lovely park, great shops in Church Walk and White Hart Yard.

“We are thriving with independent businesses and members of our local community should get behind this.”

Trowbridge Town Crier Trevor Heeks said: “This is cowardly and the person who wrote this is hiding behind a computer.

“It seems to me that 99 per cent of people who live in Trowbridge are happy with what the town has to offer. The town is much brighter than it was three or four years ago.

“I would be more than happy to meet this person on the centre of Trowbridge and take them round to show them what we have to offer.

“If they have time to sit and write about the town then they surely have the time to come and visit.”

A spokesman from PSHE Learning Community of Collaborative Schools Ltd said: “As a collaborative of schools within Trowbridge we are proud of the hard work our students and staff engage in. We believe in opportunity for all and that living and being educated in Trowbridge offers many opportunities for our young people. In the most recent Children Society report children in Trowbridge articulate that they are happy, healthy and optimistic about their future as well as proud of where they live. We work hard to instill a sense of pride in our students and pride in the local area.”