WAR has been declared as councillors unite to boycott the M65 services after company bosses revealed the sign would not be changed.

Darwen councillors said today they had reached the end of their tether on hearing the news that the 'Blackburn Services' sign would not be altered to read 'Darwen' despite a nine-month campaign.

Members of the public have voiced their anger at the sign and a petition at the services itself attracted more than 1,000 signatures.

Site owners Margram's, based in Manchester, who had agreed to change the sign, were bought out by Lincoln-based MSA Services Ltd last month. And with the new company came a dramatic u-turn on the decision to give recognition to Darwen.

Now, Coun Dave Smith, of Sunnyhurst ward, plans to flood the town with orange cards in two weeks in protest against the decision.

He said: "The orange card will have the company's name and address printed on one side and a declaration to boycott the services on the other side. All people have to do is add a stamp and post it.

"The situation has gone too far now and let's see how they react when the whole of Darwen stops shopping there."

The cards will be available from shops and businesses throughout the town.

MSA Services managing director Andrew Long argued that the service area served mainly long-distance traffic and

Darwen was not a familiar name with which people could relate.

Darreners are being urged to put their full effort behind the boycott.

Coun Dave Hollings said: "We need to do as much as we can to get the name changed and I am in full support of the scheme."

Coun Karimeh Foster said: "The business needs to build a good relationship with the people and the managers are being very short-sighted at the moment.

"If people see they are trying to do good for the community, they will shop there. If not, then people won't and shouldn't go there."

Darwen MP Janet Anderson has already taken the issue to Parliament.

She said: "The simple fact is that the services are in Darwen and it should be named after the town. It's ridiculous that it hasn't been changed."

Anyone wishing to voice their objections to the company should write to Andrew Long at Swayfields Ltd/ Blackburn MSA Services Ltd, 1 Castle Hill, Lincoln, LN1 3AA.