A war of words has broken out between two city MPs after the state of Bristol's transport network was raised in Prime Minister's Questions.

Lib Dem Stephen Williams told Gordon Brown the city's economy suffered because of the poor bus and train services and called on him to push plans for Bristol to be given an integrated transport authority.

But Labour's Kerry McCarthy, Bristol East MP, later accused him of either failing to understand or being disingenuous.

She told the Evening Post: "Labour on all four local councils are all very keen, the Lib Dems have never really backed it. The party didn't back the transport bill which gave the new powers to local authorities to do this.

"Gordon said he had not seen a bid but that is because there isn't one. The Lib Dems control Bristol council - they should be pushing this.

"Either Stephen Williams doesn't understand or he is being disingenuous. If he wants us to have an ITA then he should persuade his Liberal colleagues."

The four local authorities have the power now to create an ITA, an organisation that could sort out transport issues across the former Avon area, but all councils must sign up to a bid before it can be submitted to Government.

Mr Williams, Bristol West MP, hit back: "There is a consensus in the city, we need to persuade our neighbouring councils that not only is it in Bristol's but it is in theirs as well. The sticking point, as I understand it, is the Tory-controlled North Somerset Council."

The Prime Minister told Mr Williams: "We are investing more in transport than we have ever done. We have not only increased investment in rail transport and moved to the electrification of some lines, but we are investing in bus transport, particularly with the help we are giving to pensioners on concessionary fares."