A COUNCIL has thrown its weight behind a campaign to get the name of East Lancashire's first motorway service station changed.

Every councillor on Blackburn with Darwen Council backed a Liberal Democrat motion for the authority write to the Highways Agency requesting that the name of the Blackburn Services be changed to reflect the fact it is in Darwen.

Outrage greeted the decision to name the services Blackburn Interchange, and prompted several petitions plus calls for action from councillors and MP Janet Anderson.

Last week, it was revealed that the developers of the site were prepared to change the name having spoken to tenants on the site.

The Highways Agency is now waiting to hear that officially in writing, and will then consult on changing the name.

Darwen LibDem councillor David Foster, who moved the motion, said: "The council's backing on this will hopefully get it changed.

"I imagine some bureaucrat somewhere was sat in his office looking at a map and saw the name Blackburn before Darwen and didn't imagine the reaction he would cause by doing it.

"It is a simple mistake but one which needs correcting and I think the council is right to back this motion."

His wife Coun Karimeh Foster, who seconded the motion, went further: "I cannot understand how this happened.

"Surely the council must have been involved at some point, and if not, we should make sure we are involved in the future.

"I hope lessons have been learned."

Executive member for regeneration, Coun Andy Kay, said: "As I understand it there is a consensus for the name to be changed and we have no objection to that.

"The cost will have to be borne by the developer and the Highways Agency does need to approve it."

The service station is next to junction four and is the only motorway service station in East Lancashire.

It has a Travelodge, McDonald's, Little Chef, mini-market and petrol station.