A CUTLERY dispute has broken out in Loughor after town councillors refused to buy pensioners stainless steel spoons.

Mystery surrounds the disappearance of Loughor Old Age Pensioners Association's teaspoons, which members use while enjoying a cuppa at their Wednesday afternoon meetings.

The group are unhappy after Llwchwr Council turned down their request to buy the group stainless steel spoons, and told them they would have to resort to using plastic spoons to stir their hot drinks.

But chairwoman of Loughor OAP Association Gill Evans said plastic was not the answer for the 30-plus member group.

She said: "Plastic spoons look cheap and nasty. We have nice fine bone china cups and saucers, how can we put a plastic spoon next to it?

"It would not look very nice.

"We have just had our area meeting, where groups from all around the area attended our group in the Welfare Hall, how could we give them plastic spoons? It would be embarrassing and look bad on us."

Mrs Evans accused the council of being tight with its finances and said they should not have to fork out for their own spoons.

She said: "The money should come out of the council's precept. We are paying for the hall and the spoons should be included. How much do spoons cost? It does not cost a fortune. Plastic spoons don't last, and they go a brownish colour. How can you put them on the saucer? If you put plastic spoons in boiling tea they may melt."

At the town council's November meeting members said they were wiling to provide plastic spoons but not willing to dish out for stainless steel. Some members commented that it could set a precedent for other groups.

Councillor Ann Veck said: "Why can't they use plastic spoons, after all it is only for stirring tea and coffee. They are not eating food off them."

Clerk Tony Davies said when the kitchen was refurbished some years ago the group sold their crockery and cutlery to the council to avoid all the groups using the hall having their own separate sets.

Councillor William Evans suggested that a kitchen inventory be carried out so the council could keep a track of missing crockery and cutlery.

Mrs Evans added: "I am disheartened by the council's response. We may have to ask members for a donation to buy our own set of spoons or we will have to tell members to bring their own."