A Web site which describes Abingdon as "cut off in almost every way from the rest of the world" and "easily forgotten by travellers" has been condemned.

The Mayor of Abingdon, Mrs Audrey Hasnip, has attacked the portrayal of the town on the web's River Thames Guide.

The attack comes a week after Mrs Hasnip declared war on people sniping about Abingdon, and called for a more positive attitude.

The introduction to the site reads: "Abingdon is, like many neighbouring towns, very old. Its identity is based on age and tradition and very little would persuade anyone else otherwise. "Abingdon is England's oldest town which is easy to believe judging by the way it is cut off in almost every way from the rest of the world. There is one raucous fair every year, and there are some old pubs to visit along this section of the Thames. Abingdon is worth the trouble for its olde worlde beauty."

The website praises the museum, walks, St Helen's Church and selected pubs, restaurants and shops but criticises the local cafes, entertainment, shopping and accessibility and concludes: "The town itself has almost no entertainment and a very mediocre shopping area."

Mrs Hasnip said: "I have never heard anything so appalling. It is almost saying this is the last place you would want to come to and the first place you would want to leave. It is not true at all. Abingdon has so much going for it. This site is rubbish."

Mr Stephen Worsfold, the director of the River Thames Guide Ltd, 1999, said: "I think the site needs to be updated and that is being done."