A BARNSLEY MP has hit back at motormouth Jeremy Clarkson after the two became embroiled in a Twitter spat.

Barnsley East MP and Labour's shadow transport minister Michael Dugher provoked the Top Gear presenter's ire by describing him as 'basically an idiot' who was 'not remotely representative of motorists'.

Clarkson replied on Twitter, saying: "Labour's transport spokesman says he doesn't like Top Gear. Good. We don't make it for people who wear pink ties."

Mr Dugher followed this by posting: "Obviously I wear red ties a lot. But what's wrong with the occasional pink one?! What on earth might someone be implying...?"

** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle, dated March 6. **