Greenwich Council could face legal action from the government over its weekly propaganda freesheet Greenwich Time, it has been announced.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has written to the council warning them to comply with a code of practice which states local authorities should only publish newsletters quarterly.

The council has 14 days to respond, with the threat of court action if it carries on with its weekly paper.

Greenwich Time has been criticised by local Tories again this week for appearing to campaign for the Labour Party. 

The most recent edition features a double page spread on improvements in Eltham - a key seat in the upcoming General Election - including a beaming photo of incumbent Labour MP Clive Efford.

A key decision on the London Living Wage - a front page exclusive - has also been spun as a Labour-only policy, despite being put on the agenda earlier this month by the Tories.

This week, figures showed the paper costs taxpayers £100,000 a year.