A SURVEY claiming girls from Essex, particularly Colchester, are the cheapest first dates, has been slammed by a county councillor.

Julie Young, also a ward councillor for Colchester’s St Andrew’s ward, said the website survey was both “misleading” and “negative”.

The survey, published in a national newspaper, claims 61 per cent of women living in Essex are delighted if a man spends just £20 on them on a night out.

Many said the would also split the bill with a man if they took them out.

But it also claims almost a quarter would go to bed with a man on the first date.

“This is stereotyping designed to show Essex girls in a negative light and it does not reflect the spirit of the true Essex girl,” said Mrs Young.

She said the fact the survey showed Essex girls did not expect men to spend much showed they were indepedent and “not out to take men for a ride.”

Mrs Young also questioned the accuracy of the survey.

“I cannot imagine where they got this from. It does not sound like a very reliable survey and it undervalues women everywhere,” she added.