COUNTY council officers behaved with "crass insensitivity" by taking the keys of a community minibus, paid for by Pendle people, during the petrol crisis, according to a former councillor.

The move to "confiscate" the keys caused more problems than it solved and left groups based at New Road community centre, Earby, confused and angry, according to Tim Haigh.

The minibus was bought by money raised by local fund-raisers and is used by local community groups to transport children, the disabled and elderly people around the area.

A county spokesman said the minibus is insured by the authority and is "technically" owned by it as part of its fleet of vehicles.

During the petrol crisis county officials gathered vehicle keys to conserve fuel.

"The money raised to acquire this bus was not meant to provide the county council with just another vehicle for them to play toy soldiers with," said Mr Haigh, who was a Liberal Democrat councillor for Earby until last year whern he was defeated in a local election.

"I am appalled that county officers did not bother to inform the local minibus management committee of what they were doing before they took these keys.

"It is a breach of trust.

"If our minibus was wanted for a genuine emergency I am sure it would be offered but the local people responsible should be asked first. "If county officers think half-baked orders and a bullying manner can legalise theft they have another thing coming." Mr Haigh said officers were trying to save fuel whilst at the same time "driving all over the place" in cars.

"It would be a joke if it did not show such a crassly insensitive attitude to the communities whose taxes pay these officers' wages," he stormed.

The county spokesman said: "The decision was taken at county council level that it was in the best interests of the community of Earby to withdraw the vehicle from normal day-to-day use.

"This ensured that, as the situation deteriorated, fuel would be available for emergency vehicles and care in the community of Earby.

"As soon as the crisis moderated the vehicle based at Earby was released for general use.

"The county council is sure that in these circumstances the people of Earby were best protected."