A BOROUGH chief executive will write to the Parliamentary Boundary Commission supporting proposed changes to the Blackburn Constituency despite Tory opposition.

Denise Park, the administrative boss of Blackburn with Darwen Council, was given the task after its full meeting backed the bringing of Lower Darwen into Kate Hollern MP's seat.

The change is part of a redrawing of England’s political map which aims to ensure all constituencies have between 69,724 and 77,062 voters.

Under the proposals Labour Blackburn would gain Tory-voting Lower Darwen an part of Ewood ward from a heavily redrawn Rossendale and Darwen seat, renamed West Pennine Moors.

The council's Conservative group voted against a special motion proposed by Labour's Cllr Phil Riley.

It boss Cllr John Slater said: "We opposed this move which is all about Blackburn Labour.

"It is an attempt by Cllr Riley, Labour's emperor of Blackburn, to railroad this council. The people of Lower Darwen do not want to be in Blackburn constituency."

Cllr Riley said: "This is nothing to do with Blackburn Labour Party. It is the third time the boundary commission have put forward this identical proposal.

"They were asked to review constituencies by the Conservative government. The natural boundary of Blackburn is the M65.

"We are lucky to have seat that reflects the identity of the town of Blackburn."

Blackburn Labour Party chairman Cllr Damian Talbot, who works for Mrs Hollern, said: "It is wrong to say this change benefits Labour. It will bring Tory votes into the seat.

"Anecdotally our office frequently gets inquiries from Lower Darwen residents who are puzzled when we tell them they do not live in the Blackburn constituency."