A CHANGE in lifestyles is being blamed for a huge increase in single parent families across Lancashire.

Figures from the 2001 Census show the number of lone parent households with children with Lancashire County Council's boundaries almost doubled in the last decade, rising from just over 16,000 in 1991 to more than 31,000 in 2001.

Blackburn with Darwen's figure rose by 77.9 per cent over ten years. Around one in four families in the borough has only one parent.

Rose Conroy, of the GMB union, put the increase down to modern thinking. She said: "We can only assume it's because of a lifestyle change. More people live alone and a lot have children."

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council supported this view. Executive member for social services, councillor Sue Reid, said: "The rising number of lone parents reflects the changing needs in family life."

Despite the increase, the council does not believe single parents are putting extra strain on vital services.

The GMB claims the biggest burden is on parents themselves.

GMB senior official, Paul Kenny, said: "These figures show the necessity of employers adopting family friendly policies to enable lone parents to participate in the workforce. It would be great if childcare expenses were made tax deductible for both employers and parents."