AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after Burnley's council leader and an opposition councillor were hurt following a clash in a town hall corridor -- and each blamed the other for their injuries.

Independent Bob Chadwick has made a formal complaint after claiming Coun Stuart Caddy followed him out of the council chamber, punched his arm, and grabbed him by the throat after he had made a derogatory remark to the Labour boss.

Coun Caddy denies the allegation, claiming that 55-year-old Coun Chadwick lashed out at him in the town hall corridor, causing bruising and a small head wound.

Acting council chief officer Susan Walsh today confirmed that she had launched an internal inquiry into an allegation made by one councillor against another.

Coun Caddy said: "I am the one who should have been making the complaint, not only to the town hall, but to the police, but I decided to let the matter lie"

The clash came toward the end of a four-hour council meeting which saw councillors declare their zero tolerance of violence and hooliganism.

Coun Caddy said he had followed Coun Chadwick out of the council chamber to sort out their disagreement by discussion.

The clash ended when LibDem councillor Charilie Bullas approached the scene.

Coun Chadwick said: "It seems ridiculous that we spent so much time that night expressing the council's zero tolerance of violence and hooliganism, yet this happens. It is a terrible example to set."

Both men later returned to the council chamber as the four-hour-long full meeting of the council was breaking up with Coun Chadwick shaken and postman Coun Caddy showing colleagues blood from a scalp wound.

Coun Chadwick made his official complaint the following day.

Coun Caddy said he would be making his statement to the investigating officer this week.

Coun Bullas today declined to comment until after he had made his statement to Mrs Walsh.