Councillors in Salford will be banned from using Twitter in meetings.

Gatherings of the full council at Salford’s town hall have been covered live by councillors via their micro-blogging profiles.

The debates have attracted hundreds of followers, but town hall bosses have now banned members from using the site during meetings.

Mayor of Salford, Coun Roger Lightup, said: “The idea is that councillors should be concentrating on the proceedings of the meeting, not on tweeting.

“We do not tolerate mobile phones going off in the chamber for the same reason and a fine will have to be paid to the mayor’s charity if the rule is broken.”

M.E.N. reporters send live updates of council meetings across Greater Manchester. For up to the minute coverage of today’s Salford council meeting,  click here.