POLICE today confirmed they are investigating claims of vote-rigging in an election which took place 12 months ago.

Senior officials from Blackburn Conservative Party lodged an official complaint with police days after the June 2002 local elections after complaints from people living in the Bastwell ward.

They collected 10 signed statements which said people, who said they were from the Labour Party, had demanded un-opened postal votes from people just hours after they were delivered.

In 2002, everyone in Blackburn with Darwen was given the chance to vote by post for the first time, and it led to an increase in votes overall.

The 55 per cent turnout in Bastwell was the highest in the borough.

Labour snatched the seat from the Conservatives and collected a massive majority with it too.

Coun Mohammed Hussain collected 1,728 votes to Tory Hamid Khan's 1,043.

Blackburn Conservative Association chairman Joe Smith said: "We collected the statements after the election after receiving complaints.

"We've heard nothing since. We made a serious allegation, had it backed up with real statements we collected but nothing has been done.

"The statements, which can be checked, state that people from the Labour Party demanded unopened envelopes from people who didn't understand the system properly.

"It is my understanding that the two ballot boxes from the ward have remained sealed since the complaint but I think this needs to be made a priority.

"People need to know they can trust the electoral system."

Conservative leader Colin Rigby said: "We need to know what is going on. They should tell us either way what is happening."

A joint statement from Lancashire Police and Blackburn with Darwen Council was issued today.

It said: "The matter of postal voting irregularities in Bastwell ward, Blackburn is still under investigation.

"The police and the council are working in partnership and the investigation is being processed as quickly as possible."

The ballot boxes used in the vote have been sealed, and the ballot papers belonging to people who have complained will be checked to see if the signatures on the bottom match the person's actual signature.

Mr Hussain was re-elected in 2002 after being ousted out in 1999.

He had previously served as the ward councillor for two years from 1997 and has not been approached by the police.

He said: "I knew nothing about this. I am concerned that there are allegations and counter-allegation being thrown around but I will not lose any sleep over this.

"Bastwell was a safe Labour seat. I have forged a good relationship with the community."

Foreign Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: "This is a matter for the electoral registration officer and the police."