THE Tory candidate for Ribble Valley has clashed with a Burnley Labour hopeful over immigration.

Nigel Evans said almost uncontrolled immigration under previous Governments has done great damage to demands on public services, employment and housing.

He said: “This must be tightened, especially post-Brexit when we will have controls on immigration from outside and inside the EU.

“At the same time we must be fair.

"We must come to an early agreement with Brussels to protect the rights of EU citizens living and working in the UK, as well as giving the same protection to British citizens in the EU.

“I also want to see a new system which looks at the skills employers’ needs.

"We have to be flexible with seasonal workers who come for a few months a year to work on farms in Lancashire.”

However Julie Cooper said: “I think Nigel should have a word with his leader.

“We have had too many broken promises on numbers from the Tories.

“We need a fair and flexible policy that works for local businesses and residents.”