COUNCIL bosses have slammed Blackburn with Darwen council for refusing to water the flowers in Darwen.

Last week, Blackburn was announced as a Royal Horticultural Society Britain in Bloom finalist. The area covered by Blackburn’s Business Improvement District is one of five up for four medals - bronze, silver, silver gilt and gold.

The upkeep of flowers in Blackburn is paid for by the Blackburn with Darwen council, while the planting and watering of bedding plants in Darwen is handled by The Four Seasons Garden Centre in Darwen which is paid for by Darwen Town Council.

The contract with The Garden Centre does not include the hanging baskets that decorate the market square are paid for by the council and watered by volunteers.

Sudell Ward Cllr Paul Browne said: "It's disgusting, I couldn't believe it when I saw that picture of a Blackburn with Darwen Council Man watering their flowers.

"We have to fork out for flowers and water them ourselves because they say they have no money, but they can afford to do their own."

"Why should we have to do it ourselves, we are part of Blackburn with Darwen Council as well.

Tony Watson, Head of Service for Environment and Public Protection, for Blackburn with Darwen Council said: “We don’t currently water the flowers in Darwen but are happy to work with Darwen Town Council who we have contacted previously to supply us with details about the planters, so we can provide a price.

The watering of flowers in Blackburn is paid for by the Blackburn Town Centre BID.”

The BID raises £309,000 a year from a compulsory council tax surcharge, Darwen does not pay into the BID as the town does not meet the legal requirements for a mandatory surcharge.

Mayor of Darwen, Cllr Roy Davies, who waters the flowers twice a day along side other volunteers, said: "We are paying indirectly into the bid because we pay council tax to Blackburn with Darwen council, but they are saying we are not entitled.

"It's ridiculous and I feel bloody annoyed.

"Blackburn is entering contests and winning gold medals, but what about Darwen? We are part of the borough after all.

"It's only fair that Darwen should get 20 per cent of the bid."

One Darwen resident said: "I know we aren't a big town, but we pay our fair share.

"We don't even have our own MP, we have to share him with Rossendale, the least we deserve is our flowers watering."