COUNCILLORS have been told to behave themselves and act in a responsible manner during town hall meetings.

The warning came from the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Coun Mike Barrett, and follows a bust-up at an earlier gathering.

Darwen councillor and leader of the minority Liberal Democrat party, Paul Browne, repeatedly clashed with the mayor during last month's meeting of the full council.

Coun Browne was warned more than once about his behaviour and ticked off by the mayor for using bad language.

The mayor said his warning was not directed at one particular councillor, but said he had spoken to some members individually.

Coun Barrett added: "The behaviour of some members in this chamber fell short of what we would expect and I don't think it does us any good when members behave in that kind of way.

"We want to have constructive debates that carry the interests of this town a little bit further than jumping up and down and ignoring the wishes of the people.

"I do not wish to point the blame at any other member. I have spoken to various members of the council but I will not say who those members are.

"What I will say, very strongly, is that I will not put up with or tolerate that kind of behaviour. I have been told by many members that at the last meeting I didn't do too bad and that I handled a difficult situation quite well; others have said I should have thrown certain members out of the chamber, but I do not want to do that.

"In the council chamber, the mayor has ultimate authority and I ask you to abide by that and use the debated in a responsible manner."