LABOUR’S Pendle candidate Gordon Prentice has staked £1,000 on the continuing row over how his Liberal Democrat opponent educates his sons.

Afzal Anwar’s election agent denied Mr Prentice’s claims that Mr Anwar’s sons were being educated in Pakistan, saying it was only a temporary arrangement after the death of his sister last year.

However, Mr Prentice claims the bereavement is being used as a cover and has pledged to pay £1,000, halt his election campaign and issue a public apology if he is wrong.

The former Pendle MP said: “The boys were taken out of school in Pendle long before the tragic family bereavement which is now being used as a cover.”

Mr Anwar’s election manager Tony Greaves said: “The facts of the situation are that two of the children had gone to visit their grandparents for six months.

"They would have come home, but due to a family bereavement, they were joined by their mother and the three other children instead.

"They are all due to return in June.”