MORE than £21,000 of taxpayers’ money was spent on the aborted search for someone to lead East Lancashire’s regeneration firm.

Max Steinberg left his £140,000 post as chief of the Pennine Lancashire organisation in April, to move to Liverpool.

Despite uncertainties over future funding of the venture, bosses pressed on to recruit a replacement.

Data released under the Freedom of Information Act reveals £21,500 was spent on recruitment fees.

The recruitment was later frozen when the extent of cuts became clear and an interim was appointed.

The Housing Market Renewal scheme, which provided most of funding, has now been axed.

Blackburn with Darwen council leader Kate Hollern, who is now chair of the Pennine Lancs committee, said: “I quite clearly stated at the outset that we should not be recruiting a new chief executive, but they pressed ahead anyway.

"It’s an absolute nonsense.”