COUNCIL group leader Harry Brooks has voiced support for Burnley mayor-elect Eddie Fisk, under fire from union bosses for failing to join the miners' strike 15 years' ago.

Burnley GMB secretary Tom Fallows is urging councillors to "search their consciences" before voting for Coun Fisk as mayor in millennium year.

He said his members felt the controversial Lowerhouse Independent councillor had let down the Labour and trades union movement by crossing picket lines at Agecroft colliery.

But today Independent group leader Coun Brooks jumped to his defence stating: "He has given more than 20 years of excellent service to Burnley and is eminently suitable to be our civic leader next year.

"He will be the people's mayor -- a very popular choice.

Coun Brooks said he was astounded that some people were still determined to fight the battles of the past.

He added that he was heartened by the fact the majority Labour group on the council had re-affirmed its intention to elect Coun Fisk as mayor in May, in line with the tradition of seniority of service.

Coun Fisk, who this year quit Labour after being banned from sitting on the town's housing committee following a house allocations inquiry, has declined to comment on the new row.

He caused union and Labour fury during the 1984 dispute when he appeared on television in support of fellow rebel Agecroft working miners.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.