LIBERAL Democrats will demand a borough pulls out of talks about the creation of an East Lancashire super-council if they hold the balance of power after local elections.

Pendle council's ruling Tory group took a leading role in drawing up plans for merge it with Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley and Rossendale to create an all-purpose authority.

Hyndburn council voted to join the discussions despite the initial reluctance of its Labour leader Miles Parkinson.

With the Conservative majority just one, the LibDems could easily hold the balance of power after Thursday's poll as they did until a year ago when part of a joint administration with Labour.

Their leader Cllr David Whipp said withdrawing from the talks about the proposed Pennine Lancashire 'unitary' Council would be a pre-condition to support either Labour or Tories after the election.

Supporters of the proposal say it would save money and give East Lancashire a bigger voice in Westminster, but Pendle's LibDem group believe the shake-up would cost £35 million which would be taken from services.

Cllr Whipp said: “This is a crazy plan.

"No-one in places such as Barnoldswick, Colne and Nelson wants to be ruled by Blackburn which would be the inevitable outcome.

"No-one wants all the local decisions to be made 15 miles away by councillors from Burnley, Accrington, Blackburn and even Darwen.

"No-one wants to have to travel to Blackburn to see council officials or sort out their Council tax.

“If we have the influence after Thursday we will talk to the other parties about who runs the council.

"Pulling out of this crazy proposal will be a condition of any support we give to either of them.”