LEWIS Hamilton’s description of Stevenage as a slum has devastated the town’s proud teenagers, it has emerged.

A group of 13- to 19-year-olds gathered at the Hertfordshire town’s bus station agreed that the racing driver could not be more wrong about Stevenage’s marvels and wonders.

Wayne Hayes, aged 15, said: “It’s not just the mayor who’s offended, though he’s a great guy who we’ve got a massive amount of respect for.

“But why would Hamilton turn on Stevenage like that? See this town centre? First purpose-built pedestrianised shopping zone in Britain. How can that not make him proud?

“Admittedly we’ve not got Marks & Spencer any more, but we’ve got a Primark, we’ve got a Card Factory, we’ve got Vision Express and Specsavers. I bet Monaco can’t offer that.

14-year-old Mary Fisher said: “There must be something wrong with him to attack this place that’s grown and nurtured him. I plan to become a multi-millionaire myself but I’ll always stay right here where my roots are, in my beloved Stevenage.”