LABOUR MP Janet Anderson could see her paper-thin 120 majority - the party's smallest - fall further to just 42 because of boundary changes.

Mrs Anderson narrowly beat "green" Minister David Trippier for the Rossendale and Darwen seat at the last election.

But Labour support has been eroded because the constituency is too large and two wards - Worsley and Greenfield, both at Haslingden - have been moved to neighbouring Hyndburn.

And while Hyndburn Labour MP Greg Pope is delighted at acquiring two strong Labour wards, the transfer is bad news for Mrs Anderson.

The latest House of Commons computer projection puts her majority now at an estimated 42 - but she is undaunted.

Mrs Anderson, newly promoted to the Labour Whip's office, said: "Although Labour are doing very well in the opinion polls, I always knew that there would be a real fight for the party and for me at the next election.

"I have always considered my first duty to fight for Rossendale and Darwen in the House of Commons and that is unchanged.

"I have never been complacent but this latest projection underlines why I must continue to devote all my energies to representing the people in my constituency.

"They can rest assured I shall continue to do that and will fight extremely hard to ensure that I hold not only Rossendale and Darwen but Labour wins the next election, which people in the constituency are crying out for."

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