New photo Lewis Hamilton offends the people of his home town of Stevenage, Herts

Lewis Hamilton has faced criticism after referring to the Hertforshire new town in which he grew up as a slum.

On stage last night at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, the Formula 1 driver said it was a dream for his family to 'get out of the slums' - before backtracking to say 'Well, not the slums, but to get out of somewhere and do something.'

Stevenage, a town of around 80,000 near Welwyn Garden City, boasts a 14th-Centruy church, an arts centre, a gallery, a museum, and a large pharmaceutical research laboratory complex owned by GlaxoSmthKline.

The leader of Stevenage Borough Council said it was 'disappointing' and people felt 'very offended'.

On stage at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton told presenter Gabby Logan it was a dream for his family to 'get out of the slums' - before backtracking to say 'Well, not the slums, but to get out of somewhere and do something'

The 33-year-old driver faced some backlash on social media, as well as support from fans, but has yet to comment.

The five-time F1 world champion was one of six finalists for the title of Sports Personality of the Year which was won by Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, at the ceremony in Birmingham.

Speaking to presenter Gabby Logan, he said: 'It really was a dream for us all as a family to do something different. For us to get out of the slums.

'Well, not the slums, but to get out of somewhere and do something. We all set our goals very, very high but we did it as a team.'

St Mary's church in the Hertfordshire town of Stevenage dates to the fourteenth century

Stevenage was the UK's first designated New Town in 1946. Novelist E M Forster lived just outside and used the surrounding countryside as inspiration for his novel Howard's End

The sailing lake in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The Stevenage council leader criticised Mr Hamilton for his comments

England para-badminton player Gobi Ranganathan tweeted that the town had a lot to offer

Stevenage Old Town's high street. On Twitter one user said they did not find Lewis Hamilton's words offensive, adding, 'have you walked through town after a Saturday night?'

Stevenage train station. The town of 80,000 people is around 30 miles north of London

Is Stevenage a slum?

Stevenage in Hertfordshire lies just north of Welwyn Garden City, around 30 miles north of London.

The town of around 80,000 boasts a 14th-Centruy church, an arts centre, a gallery, a museum and a sailing lake.

One of the biggest employers is the large pharmaceutical research laboratory complex owned by GlaxoSmthKline.

It has a pedestrianised town centre and like many new towns built after the war, multiple roundabouts.

The Grade-I listed Rooks Nest House, former home of novelist E M Forster, lies just outside the old town.

Stevenage Borough Council leader Sharon Taylor said: 'It is disappointing that Lewis Hamilton referred to Stevenage as 'the slums' at such a high-profile event.

'He clearly realised what he had said and tried to correct it but sadly the people of our town, many of whom admire and support him, felt very offended.'

On Twitter, Team England para-badminton player Gobi Ranganathan said: 'I for one am proud to fly the flag for Stevenage. It's made me who I am today.

'It's not perfect, but it's home. And it has a lot to offer if people just open their eyes.'

Residents found themselves on opposite side of the debate. One wrote scathingly: 'Lewis Hamilton said Stevenage is a slum - unbelievable, but then I suppose it is compared to Monaco!!' in reference to the driver's current home.

But another replied 'Personally i don't find @LewisHamilton calling Stevenage a slum offensive at all, have you walked through town after a Saturday night?'

Others defended him, with one post saying : 'Please note that Lewis's words were taken out of context and he tried to correct himself.'

A comment on the Lewis Hamilton Facebook page said: 'He was meaning his family were not well off but made sacrifices to help him become a go kart driver.'

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News Pictures Lewis Hamilton offends the people of his home town of Stevenage, Herts

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