WE are entering uncharted waters with a hung parliament scenario in Britain.

It is the first time it has happened since 1974 and it is being described by some as a crisis.

However on the continent it occurs all the time and in countries like Belgium it is the norm.

Encouragingly all the parties at this early stage seem willing to talk to each other and at the moment pundits are predicting that a Tory/Lib Dem pact is the most likely outcome.

For the good of the country let us hope that they sort the whole thing out quite soon.

Meanwhile East Lancashire is losing some of its most familiar faces.

We are saying goodbye to Janet Anderson and Gordon Prentice, both of whom have been notable servants to the region.

Congratulations to Jack Straw and Nigel Evans who again proved that they are convincing constituency MPs, winning new terms in office.

And finally a big welcome to our new MPs, Gordon Birtwistle and Graham Jones. We wish them well.