A MAJOR company involved in the battle to stop Manchester's planned congestion charge, has been accused of trying to tell its workers how to respond to an official public consultation.

Employees of cereal giant Kellogg's, which has a key site in Trafford Park, have been sent emails suggesting they can 'cut and paste' reasons to object to the controversial scheme from a anti-charge campaign website backed by the Greater Manchester Momentum Group - of which it is a leading member.

A spokesman for the rival pro-campaign said: "It is astonishing that a major multi national company like Kellogg's should tell their staff that the appropriate way to respond to an official consultation is to cut and paste their employer's opinions."

Chris Wermann, communications director for the US-owned company, who sent out the email to around 1,000 workers in Manchester denied any attempts to influence their views.

He said: "When so much is at stake, we believe we have a clear duty to keep our staff up to date about the planned charge, the implications, and the referendum which is coming up at the end of the year.

"Unite, the union which operates at our site has already made it clear that it is opposed to the charge, and is likewise giving out information to its members."

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Mr Wemann's email directs staff to the no campaign website and says: "If you would like to follow our position please go to www.stopthecharge.co.uk and you can cut and paste the reasons why you don't feel the scheme is right for Manchester."

He said: "I stand by the email I sent out. I made it quite clear that there is absolutely no pressure on staff to vote one way or the other. It is totally up to them what they do."

Kellogg's, one of the region's most famous companies, was one of the first big names to announce its opposition to the congestion charge early this year.

The company which employs 1,000 people at two Manchester sites, says the charge would make life too hard for its staff and too difficult to ship cereals from its Trafford Park plant.

Kellogg's says it welcomes proposals to invest £3bn in Greater Manchester's public transport system, but says it cannot support the charge which has to be approved to get the government cash.

Yes campaigners who launched their formal fight a month ago, are hoping to convince voters to back the move, arguing that the offer is an exceptional opportunity to revolutionise the region's public transport system.

The public will get the chance to vote on the plans, which include a £5 peak hour, weekday charge, in December.