A LONG-serving Liberal Democrat councillor has shocked party colleagues by announcing he is defecting.

Coun Paul Browne, who was the Lib Dem leader in Blackburn with Darwen for about 30 years, has revealed he will stand for the For Darwen party at next May's elections.

Asked by the Lancashire Telegraph about rumours that he was to switch, Coun Browne, who has been a Lib Dem councillor since 1973, said: "I have to be honest, it's yes.

"But I am not crossing over mid-stream. I am still a Lib Dem until May, when I will stand for For Darwen."

Coun Browne, who represents Sudell ward, said he would explain his reasoning at next month's full council meeting.

For Darwen was formed ahead the local elections in May, taking three seats.

Coun Browne's defection will put the Liberal Democrats down to 11 councillors.

For Darwen leader Tony Melia said: "This will mean a big boost to the party and strengthen our position."

But Coun Browne's Lib Dem ally and fellow Sudell councillor Roy Davies said he was "gobsmacked" by the news.

He said: "I feel sorry from the point of view that he has been with the Lib Dems for 30-odd years and feels he needs to go to another party."

Coun Davies said he had no plans to follow Coun Browne to the For Darwen party.

The switch is the latest change to the borough's political landscape.

It will not affect the balance of power. The ruling coalition of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and For Darwen that ousted Labour in May has 33 seats, to Labour's 31.

But a by-election in Shear Brow could be triggered should Lib Dem councillor Arif Waghat, who is waiting to be sentenced for benefit fraud, be automatically disqualified from standing if he is given a three-month jail sentence or more.