DESIGN guru Wayne Hemingway has led the fightback against a website’s claims that Blackburn and Accrington are two of the worst towns in Britain to live.

He joined civic leaders in criticising the iLiveHere online forum for naming them in the ten most unpleasant places in the UK.

Mr Hemingway was raised in Blackburn, ninth on the list to Accrington’'s eighth.

He said: “There are so many of these so-called surveys going around and basically this one is a pile of crap. Again it’s based on sad ‘keyboard warriors’ intent on causing division and a website willing to publish the views of these people for financial gain.

“There are so many signs that Blackburn is on the up, let's concentrate and build on the positives “

The town’s MP, Kate Hollern, said: ”This is absolute nonsense. Blackburn has the kindest people in the UK, always ready to help others.

“It is building a 21st century town around a centre of fine historic buildings. Blackburn has been totally transformed in the last ten years and is getting better.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Cllr Mohammed Khan said: “This survey is utter nonsense. I have lived in Blackburn for 53 years. It is moving in the right direction and is a better town than when I came here in 1965.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: “Accrington is one of the best towns in the country to live. I live here, as my family has for 100 years."

“The best thing about the town is the people.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “Accrington is a fine historic town set in the midst of beautiful countryside and in the process of being improved with developments like the new town square.”

Borough Tory group leader Tony Dobson said: “Accrington has a fine historical centre and I think is improving. Some of its buildings are shining beacons of light. Accrington is changing for the better and in time its residents will appreciate that.”

One contributor compared Blackburn to the TV show Shameless.

Huddersfield was named the worst place to live.