A CONSERVATIVE councillor is recovering after being knocked down by a Lib Dem colleague.

Val Langtree, who stepped down from the borough council in Earby ward this year and is now chairman of Salterforth Parish Council, was struck by a car driven by Coun David Whipp in Barnoldswick town centre on Tuesday.

Coun Langtree said she was taken to Airedale Hospital by Coun Whipp, who is chairman of the Pendle Community Safety Partnership, after being hit by the reversing car in Frank Street at around 9am.

She suffered injuries to her arm but returned home later in the afternoon.

Coun Langtree and her daughter Suzanne were due to see police at a pre-arranged meeting at Nelson Police Station yesterday afternoon.

A police spokesman confirmed that they were aware of the incident and were due to take a statement.

Suzanne Langtree said: “My mum was crossing the road behind the car when the incident happened.

“She was taken to hospital but she didn’t really want to go, she has got bruising on her leg and arm and her arm is badly swollen.

“She was in town doing some shopping and had been talking to friends of hers before crossing the road, and was then going to go to the Rainhall Centre to do some jobs.”

Coun Langtree and Coun Whipp have previously stood against each other for election to Barnoldswick Town Council and for the Craven ward on Pendle Borough Council.