A controversial set could be banned from a town's winter fair over fears members are using it as a platform for their beliefs.

Devotees of Scientology have become established volunteers for public events organised by Crowborough Town Council.

But Councillor Michael Murphy is tonight asking his council to ban followers of Scientology, probably one of Britain's most controversial faiths, until a full investigation has been carried out into their motives for volunteering.

He also wants an investigation into how Scientology treats its own followers.

He fears Scientology could be using the winter fair and other events organised by the town council as a platform to promote their beliefs.

A spokesman for the Scientologists said he was shocked by the councillor's reaction.

Six volunteers from the faith's UK bases at The Saint Hill College for Scientologists near East Grinstead and Walsh Manor in Walshes Road, Crowborough, have signed up to help out at the town's winter fair next Thursday, as they have done for a number of years.

They would be manning barriers blocking cars from the High Street during the event.

Coun Murphy said the council should not be seen to work with any organisation if criticisms of its practices were shown to be well-founded.

He has tabled a motion on the agenda of tonight's town council meeting, saying: "Cllr Murphy will propose that this council refrains from using the voluntary services of the Scientologists until a full investigation has been carried out."

He told The Argus: "I want to know more before I accept that these people are being sent along on a genuine basis rather than to permeate society.

"We don't know what these people do all day, how they live, what happens to their children. I just think we need to know more about them.

"If these people are being well treated I don't have a problem with them asking people to see how they live but if they are not then I think the council, as a public body, has a moral obligation to disassociate itself from these people."

Scientology's supporters say it is a modern, forward-thinking faith.

Graeme Wilson, spokesman from Saint Hill College, reacted angrily to the resolution.

He was shocked the town council wanted to ban members from volunteering as they had done for 15 years.

He said: "In this day and age, bald-faced bigotry has no place in our multi-faceted society and we have for decades worked with people of all faiths colours and races and will continue to do so.

"Our volunteers help in all areas where we have churches. The aims of Scientology are a world without crime without insanity and without war where the able can prosper and where honest beings have rights."

Mr Murphy, a Roman Catholic, said he was concerned the council was giving credibility to Scientology.

He said he would say the same about the Catholic religion if he thought a local church had been called into question over its conduct.

He said: "Some people will say it is none of our business but I say we are a public body and we should be very careful who we work with."