ABUSIVE messages hurled at a councillor for supporting England in a World Cup match have been slammed as "unacceptable".

Former leader of Newport City Council, Councillor Matthew Evans, took to Twitter on the weekend to reveal that he would be rooting for England in its match against Croatia.

The Newport-born politician said: "I posted a tweet saying that I was supporting England against Croatia.

"England is a home nation hence I decided to support them."

Shortly after tweeting - Well it might disappoint some in Wales but I am supporting #ENG - the Conservative councillor was flooded with abusive messages.

"I was sent a lot of abuse from trolls on social media for my decision," he said.

"I was taken a back and amazed at the reaction.

"I use social media to keep in touch with residents and this should not have caused a problem."

Some of the tweets called Cllr Evans "scum" for supporting England.

And he has now slammed the abuse as "totally unacceptable".

"Some of the abusive tweets have been deleted," he said.

"I do not have a problem with people having a different view to mine. I need to stress that.

"It is the abuse which is unacceptable and unnecessary.

"But when politics gets dragged in and personal insults are made that is when you have to draw a line."

He added: "I am proud to be Welsh and equally proud to be British."

England won two nil against Sweden and have made it to the semi-finals in the World Cup.