Dennis Marsden claimed Longridge had been left spotless just to impress councillors touring the area for problems.

But Manchester City Council estate team leader Bob Grieve denied any special efforts had been made.

"They'll do the work just to impress some mayor," said Mr Marsden, who has lived on Longridge since 1970.

"But then when they go the place is left to wrack and ruin again. It's beyond a joke."

Workmen had been keen to kill weeds and pick up grass cuttings in the week before the council walkabout, he said.

"That's the first time I've seen them do that in a blue moon," said Mr Marsden, 36, who said notices were also put through some residents' letterboxes asking them to tidy their gardens.

But Mr Grieve said that was standard practice throughout the year.

He added the council was also set to help fund a gardening tool lending service for tenants to improve the estate.

"We just stuck with our normal work schedule before the walkabout," said Mr Grieve.

The borough and county councils were also partly responsible for Longridge, he added.

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