COUNCILLORS in Pendle will tonight become the latest members of an East Lancashire local authority to seem hell bent on behaving in a way which confirms the worst fears of a cynical public.

This year we have seen six Blackburn councillors leave the Labour party within days of being elected on its platform and Burnley council in limbo for weeks with no one at the helm because members couldn't agree who should run things.

Pendle councillors' first issue tonight won't be selling off council houses, or a £12million revamp of run-down areas - but who should sit where in Nelson Town Hall!

Apparently the Tories, whose numbers have increased, want to swap places with Labour, who themselves want to see the majority Liberal Democrats move from the back of the chamber to the centre.

Councillors put off a decision last time they discussed the matter and left it to party leaders to sort out with officers.

But they haven't been able to agree so the matter will have to be thrashed out in public tonight.

What a picture this petty bickering presents to those who elected these people to run services which are vital to so many aspects of our everyday lives.

Pull yourselves together and grow up.