PARISH councils for Nelson and Colne could mean 42 new politicians across the two towns.

At the last meeting of Pendle's full council, members agreed to propose a 24-member town council for Nelson, and one with 18 councillors for Colne, in its submission to the Secretary of State Everywhere else in Pendle is already covered by a parish or town council.

Executive Director (community engagement) Philip Mousdale had recommended a model which would have meant 30 members for Nelson and 22 for Colne, but the Liberal Democrats said these councils would be just too big, with Councillor Tony Greaves saying residents would be "tripping over councillors in the street."

Labour's Councillor David Whalley said there was no need for the move, with area committees linked to Pendle Council already serving the two towns, while parish and town councillors did not necessarily have to be elected.

He said: "I'm in favour of parish councils for villages and outlying areas, but I wouldn't have had town councils in Barnoldswick and Brierfield.

"I think we are making a big mistake - parish councillors only have to be elected if more people want to join than there are places, and mostly that's not the case, and that leaves it open for all sorts of people to take positions of power."