THE Liberal Democrat candidate in a key marginal seat has followed his Conservative rival by taking a holiday during the election campaign.

Former Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle returned from Germany on Tuesday from a six-day River Rhine cruise with his wife Kathleen.

The trip was to celebrate the couple’s 30th ‘Pearl’ wedding anniversary.

It follows Tory candidate Paul White hitting the national media last month when he jetted off on a Turkish seaside holiday with his father Stephen hours after being selected to fight the Burnley seat.

Green party candidate Laura Fisk was also away from the campaign in the town until Sunday.

Mr Birtwistle, 74, said: “We have had a break.

“It was to celebrate our Pearl wedding anniversary and was booked before Christmas.

“We tried to move it after the election was called but it was too expensive.

“It was six-day river cruise down the Rhine from Basel to Cologne and I’m back on the doorstep in Burnley now.

“This was an important anniversary booked well before the election was called.

“I always put my wife first and she and I deserved a break before the election.

“I have been campaigning in and for Burnley for 35 years not 35 minutes like Pendle councillor Paul White.”

Mr White’s trip at the start of the campaign for the June 8 General Election came to the attention of political blogger ‘Guido Fawkes’ and then the national newspapers.

The 30-year-old, who was North West director of the ‘Vote Leave’ campaign in the Euro-referendum, said: “I understand Mr Birtwistle’s decision.

“Family is important and and anniversary like this should come first.”

Labour candidate Julie Cooper said: “The election was called very suddenly.

“Although I am a little surprised,I understand Mr Birtwistle’s decision to go away for an important anniversary with his wife.”

UKIP candidate Tom Commis said: “It’s not really for me to comment.

“However it was a snap election and I sympathise with Mr Birtwistle.”

On learning of Cllr White’s trip to Alanya‘Guido Fawkes’ commented: “Packing your sun cream and jetting off on holiday is however probably best left to after polling day.”

So far Mr Birtwistle’s anniversary break has failed to come to the blogger’s notice.

Mr White said at the time:“There is no point politicians talking about the importance of family and then letting their own one down.”

In 2015 Mrs Cooper beat sitting MP Mr Birtwistle by 3,244 votes with Tory Sarah Cockburn-Price came third with 5,374 votes well behind his 11,707.

Mr Birtwistle’s comment on Cllr White’s break was: “I can understand him going as this was shock election.”