A LIBERAL Democrat councillor claims her bid to secure funding for local community projects have been blocked by her two Conservative ward colleagues.

Cllr Carol Ainge said she has been left "incredibly frustrated" after seeing almost all the money available for local community projects spent on schemes selected by councillor Mark Anderson and ex-councillor Alex Adams.

And she is questioning a decision to allocate £7,500 to Malmesbury Park School - a decision signed off by Mr Adams on the last working day before his resignation.

The row concerns Charminster and Queens Park's Local Improvement Fund - a cash pot of £15,000 to spend between 2005 and 2008.

In May 2007, when the three councillors were elected, there was £9,773.09 left in the kitty. But council rules stipulate money can only be spent if two ward councillors sign back a decision.

Mr Anderson and Mr Adam allocated the Malmesbury Park School cash, even though Cllr Ainge was unhappy with such a large part of the pot going to one cause.

When Cllr Ainge asked for £800 to enlarge the garden space at Nortoft Day Care Centre, Cllr Anderson refused to support the request.

Her suggestions to give £800 to the St Andrews youth centre and £500 to Fenwick Court sheltered housing scheme were also rejected. Now Cllr Adams has resigned the fund is frozen, pending a by-election.

The affair has sparked an official complaint from Liberal Democrat group leader, Claire Smith. She proposes the cash be split three ways for distribution by councillors.

But Mr Anderson said Cllr Smith could not complain about the rules when she was member of the administration which drew them up, adding: "I think we should be looking after the citizens of the future," he said. "Malmesbury Park has probably the smallest playground area with one of the largest numbers of pupils. They may also take people from Townsend if it closes."

Cllr Ainge said: "We should not forget the citizens who went through a war for us and made a future for the children of today.

"I have no objection to giving Malmesbury Park money but I want to try and help as many local people as possible."