TRADERS have reacted angrily after they were mistakenly sent questionnaires asking about their religious beliefs and sexual orientation.

Pendle Council distributed hundreds of forms quizzing business owners for personal information including whether they were heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual or trans-gender.

It also asked the traders to provide details on their religious beliefs, ethnic background and any disabilities they may have.

The Equalities Monitoring Forms were attached to the council's Employment Land Review leaflet, a document sent out to get an accurate picture of future land needs.

All 323 businesses in Pendle Council's company register for 2007 received the forms.

The council has admitted that it was a mistake to send the forms out to the businesses as they "would not be able to answer the questions".

But traders have hit out at the council for requesting the information and "throwing money down the drain".

John Broughton, a spokesperson for Bruffy's Bikes, on Kelbrook Road, received the questionnaire over the weekend.

He said: "I was amazed that anybody would ask those sort of questions and then expect answers to those questions.

"I can't for the life of me think what they need all that information for, it's personal and I certainly would not fill in that part.

"It's a waste of money and I can't imagine anyone filling them in."

Jenny Purcell, Chairman of the Barnoldswick Town Council, said the money should have been used to attract tourists to the area.

She said: "This is a waste of money because everyone will have received these leaflets.

"It's absolutely disgusting, it's throwing money down the drain and wasting paper."

"They should be putting on entertainment in the town centre square and bring people into the town centre-this would make Barnoldswick more vibrant and attractive."

The council said that the form was usually sent out to residents during a consultation exercise and its completion was optional.

They said that it complied with relevant legislation and was to ensure residents are able to access services regardless of their background.

A spokesperson for the council said: "On this occasion we believe the Form was mistakenly sent out and understand that businesses would not be able to answer the questions."

The council said that it had only cost £58 to print the forms and £77.52 to send them out via second-class post.

"Tourism and Economic Development are a top priority for Pendle Council and we are working to get more people into Barnoldswick both as a place to work and visit," the spokesperson added.

"The cost of the leaflets has been minimal and the data we gain will help us to meet the needs of local businesses and industry and in turn this helps to protect jobs."

The Employment Land Review is intended to give the council an accurate picture of the total demand for, and the available supply of, land for employment uses.

The council last conducted a review in 2007.