COUNCILLOR Malcolm Doherty, leader of the council, said he believed the response gave a good indication of what people in the borough wanted.

He said: "Usually the people who want to express a view are those who feel strongly one way or the other.

"The surveys have been very useful and have given people an opportunity if they wanted it to make their views known.

"I am pleased that that many people, in different ways, have made their views known, and satisfied that we have done everything we can to get the views of the people of the town."

Paul Browne, leader of Blackburn with Darwen's Lib Dems slammed the response as "pathetic" and said it showed people "aren't interested in the way the towns are run."

Conservative group leader Coun Colin Rigby, said part of the blame for this could be placed at the council's door. He said: "If we want to engage the people we need to be more open with them and consult with them before decisions are made. We are not really consulting with people prior to making the decisions affecting them." Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw said he was unable to comment on the detailed mechanics of the opinion surveys, but added: "I am not surprised that they got a relatively poor response because although it is important, it seems to be very technical to a lot of people. The current system seems to be working. The proof of any system is what it can deliver and there is no question that Blackburn with Darwen Council is one of the best in the country on one measure after another.

"What system they used to deliver services is a matter for the council and not for me."

Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans said: "I don't think you can say this is a ringing endorsement. It's clear people were not engaged and interested.

"The council could have done a better job and given people a wider range of choices including the status quo. People want an efficiently run council with low council taxes."

Pendle Labour MP Gordon Prentice agreed saying: "Its clear from this that people want an efficient council that is well run with low council taxes and that they are not really concerned about the mechanics of achieving this."