LABOUR Party chairman Ian McCartney is to visit Blackburn on Monday.

The Minister without Portfolio is to meet Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Sir Bill Taylor before undertaking a tour of the town. According to Councillor Bill Taylor, Mr McCartney is coming to East Lancashire to find out how his council operates on a day to day basis.

Coun Taylor said: "We are always pleased to have a government minister here at the Blackburn with Darwen council. We have had a few recently. And I think they come to learn what we do well and what we can improve on to help improve the relationship between central and local government."

Mr McCartney's visit follows similar appearances by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and local government minister Nick Raynsford.