COUNCILLORS clashed over proposed changes to the name of Hyndburn’s Parliamentary seat before performing a U-turn.

The review of the House of Commons constituencies by the Boundary Commission recommended that the name be changed to ‘Accrington CC’.

However at a full council meeting, councillors clashed over the name change before favouring it remaining ‘Hyndburn.’

Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson initially said that he supported the change, before supporting the name continuing.

He said: “Concerns have been raised in the past that a large proportion of the country does not recognise the name Hyndburn and are unable to geographically place the borough with any accuracy.

“The name change from Hyndburn to Accrington could help raise the profile and attract more inward investment into the area and help the local economy.”

Several councillors also supported the planned changes because of the reputation Accrington has.

Cllr Malcolm Pritchard, who represents the Milnshaw ward, said: “When you say you’re from Hyndburn, people say to you where is Hyndburn?

“Everybody knows about Accrington.

“We talk about the Accrington Pals, Accrington brick and Accrington Stanley.

“If you’re abroad and you say you’re from Accrington people say ‘oh Accrington Stanley’, they had a good team.”

Rishton Cllr Ken Moss said: “Just 13 miles down the road in Preston some people don’t know where Hyndburn is, but they know all about Accrington.

“But what is important is that we are the smallest borough in Lancashire and we are getting bigger. We need to keep our identity.”

However many councillors backed the ‘Hyndburn’ name to remain because of the number of areas it includes.

Cllr Gareth Molineux, who represent the Overton ward, said: “People from Great Harwood are from Great Harwood, not Accrington.

“We are all equal townships who belong to Hyndburn.”

Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: “People have grown to love Hyndburn.

“If we change the name of the constituency where does that leave the Hyndburn Council? It would be a council for an area that doesn’t exist.”

Cllr Parkinson concluded by saying he was happy to accept the name remaining, because what is important is the unity of the area.

He said: “What is important is the borough having a strong voice. I hope we can have cross party support.”A motion was passed by a majority to amend the initial council recommendation to support the name change, and instead favour it remaining Hyndburn.