NO Liberal Democrat candidates are standing in Rossendale’s council elections next month.
Local party leader Coun Catherine Pilling has announced she will not be seeking re-election in her Haslingden Greenfield seat, but has not explained the full reasons.
With 12 places up for grabs in Rossendale, the party has not made any nominations in the other 11 wards.
Political leaders have expressed their surprise at the decision, which does not affect the two sitting Lib Dem councillors Jim Pilling and Tim Nuttall.
Conservative council leader Coun Tony Swain said: “If they are really serious about Rossendale being a three-party area then they should be putting candidates up.
“I understand it is not always easy to find candidates for elections but for a sitting councillor to not stand, without an explanation, I find slightly bemusing.”
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