Fans greeted Anthony Hutton as he returned home to Consett

The 23-year-old, from Consett, was named winner of the sixth series of the reality TV show on Friday night.

Labour-controlled Derwentside District Council organised a civic welcome for the dancer on Tuesday afternoon, during which he was mobbed by teenage girls.

But opposition councillors criticised the decision to hold the celebration.

I wish him all the best and understand he has won a lot of money... but I don't think this justifies spending council tax payers' money John Ingham, Derwentside Independents

Derwentside said it wanted to organise a special welcome home for Mr Hutton, which took place at the Blackhill and Consett Park.

The council also said it planned to appoint him as its official "ambassador for young people".

Council leader Councillor Alex Watson said: "Anthony has certainly put Consett on the map.

"We are pleased to be able to recognise Anthony's achievement by bestowing upon him the honour as ambassador for young people. We hope that he will help us motivate other young people in the district to achieve personal success."

But John Ingham, of opposition group Derwentside Independents, condemned the move as a "waste of taxpayers' money".

'Least obnoxious'

He said: "The first I knew of this was when I got a phone call on Monday inviting me to a party to celebrate this lad's homecoming.

"Good luck to the lad, but I am opposed to this. All he has done is win a popularity contest, the criteria for which appears to be the least obnoxious of all the entrants.

"I wish him all the best and understand he has won a lot of money. But I don't think this justifies spending council tax payers' money."

Mr Ingham, who admitted to not watching Big Brother, added: "There is a long list of projects that the council could use this money for, from the regeneration of Stanley town centre to providing decent playing facilities for kids."

Mr Ingham, who will not be attending Tuesday's event, said he planned to raise the "use or misuse of council money" with fellow councillors.

But Mr Watson said the only outlay was for a public address system.