A HARD-HITTING CD which attacks a council for its treatment of Little Harwood is due to be released.

But the compact disc called Truth Hurts has been welcomed by Blackburn with Darwen bosses as "constructive criticism". The music by Little Harwood Youth group has created international interest.

It features three underground-style tunes, all written by teenagers, and will be officially launched in October. It has already been presented as an example of a 'new community project' at an international conference on racism in Germany.

But the rap lyrics in the title song Boundaries, recorded at Blackburn with Darwen Music Centre, expose racial tensions and claim the council has neglected the area. The words speak of "continual hypocrisy, perpetual animosity" and a "council which hides the truth".

Iqbal Khan, a volunteer with Little Harwood Youth, said: "This is a controversial CD because it's a hip hop underground tune which is negative about the area. But the lyrics in Truth Hurts describes what it is really like to live in a divided community.

"Some of the volunteers have been on the receiving end of racially motivated attacks and that is when the idea started for the recording.

"This is a fantastic project which has generated a tremendous amount of interest nationally and internationally because we believe it has never been done before. Now the seven lads who helped write, record and design the CD are acting like pop stars!"

Volunteer workers from Little Harwood youth were invited to an international conference on Racism and Tolerance in Germany last October. But Coun Mahfooz Huissain, executive member for education and lifelong learning, said: "Although successful, Blackburn with Darwen Council is not complacent and can take constructive criticism from all sections of society.

"I welcome this input from young people in Little Harwood and am encouraged to see the interest they have shown in their community.

"Young people will voice their feelings in different ways and we are open to hear them. This CD is an exciting way of doing so. In their lyrics, the young people set out the key challenges facing the council but also explain how they are prepared to work positively to build a better future for everyone in Blackburn with Darwen."

Coun Frank Gorton, representing the Little Harwood ward, said: "It is important we try and promote harmony and understanding in this area and if there is anything we can do to help, we will do it. But I am not aware of a problem with racial tension.

"However, I am aware that several people felt let down when Single Regeneration Budget funding failed to be awarded to this area."

Although the CD is not available for general sale, 250 copies have been recorded initially and will be launched at the LHYouth football tournament on September 1. Copies are available on lhyouth@hotmail.com