THE former Lord Mayor of York today defended herself against claims that she "disgraced the city" by dressing casually during an official visit.

War hero Bernard Hallas criticised Coun Janet Looker for dressing in jeans, a T-shirt and trainers during a visit to HMS York.

The highly-decorated former Royal Marine, from Haxby, said he was "deeply embarrassed" when Coun Looker and the former Sheriff of York, Coun Bob Scrase, boarded the destroyer in Portsmouth, in casual clothes.

Mr Hallas and several other York veterans had accompanied the civic party on its last official engagement before handing over the chains of office.

Mr Hallas said: "Everything went quiet, the company stood in stunned silence.

"Everybody else made an effort, but she turned up in denim bottoms. A mayor is always on duty and I think she brought a disgrace on the city."

But Coun Looker, who has now been succeeded as Lord Mayor by Coun Janet Greenwood, said they were specifically asked by the ship not to wear formal, ceremonial dress.

"They told us it was not appropriate because it was to be a very active trip and we would be climbing up and down stairs," she said.

"We did dress casually, but we were there for a working visit. There was no disrespect given or intended. It was a really excellent occasion.

"We spoke to some of the people who went down from York and nobody said anything to us."

Coun Looker, who wore a special T-shirt with the chains of office printed on the front, denied her dress was a "show of contempt".

But Mr Hallas said: "No one expected a full ceremonial display, but among the smartly turned-out assembly, to see our first citizen and her companion dressed in denim bottoms and a grey T-shirt was something of a shock.

"It is to be hoped, as I am sure she will, that the incoming Lord Mayor will do her best to obliterate this bad feeling held at this moment by the citizens of our fair city."

No one could be contacted on HMS York.

Updated: 10:31 Wednesday, May 25, 2005