TOWN hall chiefs in Blackburn have pledged not to fight dirty in the battle to become England's newest city.

In the next three years, a city is to be created to celebrate the new millennium and a further new city will be created to mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen's reign.

Council leaders say they are putting a bid together and believe they have an excellent case.

But they know they will face stiff competition from neighbouring towns Preston and Bolton, as well as Stockport and Warrington.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans says he will be backing Preston's bid rather than Blackburn, but council leader Malcolm Doherty says he will not be drawn into a political slanging match on the city status issue.

He added: "Nigel Evans has part of his constituency in Fulwood and if he wants to support Preston's bid that is entirely up to him.

" I would have thought most of his constituency is in East Lancashire and his constituents would benefit more from Blackburn being made into a city. "But we have excellent relations with both Preston and Bolton and they have strong cases for city status just the same as we have.

"There will be no denigration of neighbouring towns, just as there wasn't when we were all rivals for single regeneration budget and city challenge money from the government."

Coun Jim Hirst, leader of the Conservative group on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Part of Nigel Evans' constituency is in Fulwood and that is probably why he has chosen to back Preston.

"But we will be supporting Blackburn's bid and with the cathedral, the council's unitary status and all the investment plans I think the area is capable of putting a very good case together.

"There will certainly be no politics involved and we will all be pulling in the same direction."

Blackburn's bid, announced in December, will be the fourth occasion the borough has made a bid to become a city. Attempts were made in 1934, 1977, and 1993.

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