DARWEN Town Council’s troubled new website has been handed over to a local firm.

In December last year councillors agreed to commission Phil Holden of IT firm Fahrenheit 451 to revamp the website at a cost of £500.

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But following complaints that the website was still not complete and accurate and criticism over giving the job to a firm based in Accrington, a new Darwen company has been employed.

Now “Find Me A Business” of Belgrave Square, run by 21-year-old IT entrepreneur Adam Melia, has taken over the job free of charge.

He said: “We are delighted as a Darwen business to run the town council website.

“We’ve already sorted out a few problems and are looking forward to running it.”

Earlier this week Whitehall Liberal Democrat borough councillor David Foster complained the website featured the Blackburn with Darwen, not town, councillors for his ward and Marsh House.

Now following a meeting between Mr Melia and the organisation’s deputy chairman Pete Hollings that has been put right.

They are promising to get details of events, town council meetings and minutes on the website shortly.

Sunnyhurst councillor Mr Hollings said: “We have have had problems for some time with the new website and snags have not been sorted out when requested.

“It was probably a mistake to award the contract outside Darwen.

“We were then approached by Mr Melia, a Darwen resident, who made a great offer to do the website for free.

“I have had a meeting with him and we are sorting out the teething problems.

“The list of councillors is now correct and all the other services will be added.

“I am putting the £500 fee to Mr Holden down to experience.”

Mr Holden said: “This is news to me. They haven’t informed me.

“I offered to make them a website which I did.

“The content side was up to the town council. I was paid my £500.

“I have no further comment to make.”

Cllr Foster said: “I am glad they have taken steps to sort this out and given the work to a Darwen firm.

“I just hope it works properly from now on.”

View the website at www.darwentowncouncil.org.uk.