A BARNOLDSWICK town clerk who wants to remain in the job when he turns 65 despite opposition from the town's council is being backed by his MP.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice has criticised councillors' decision to retire award-winning town clerk Robert Kandt when he hits the national pensionable age on January 3, 2008, in October.

He said that Mr Kandt was "too good to lose" and he hoped challenges in the European Court of Human Rights against the Government policy would mean that that council had to back down.

Mr Kandt, who won a professional award for his work this year, has had a local appeal against the decision dismissed by the council.

The controversy has already led to the resignation of the chair of the town council, Maureen Davis, who confessed last week she wants Mr Kandt to remain in the post.

Under laws which came into force last year, employers are not allowed to discriminate against workers on the basis of age but employees can still be forced to retire at 65.

In January, Mr Kandt, who has been in the post four years, was awarded the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) in recognition of "high levels of administrative, managerial and legal competence" in the running of Barnoldswick Town Council.

Mr Prentice said: "There are thousands of parish and town clerks all over England and I bet there are quite a few over 65. Perhaps even in councils run by the Liberal Democrats.

"I hope Mr Kandt tells the town council he wants to stay on pending a decision in the European Court on whether forced retirement is lawful.

"Mr Kandt is an award winning town clerk. He is too good to lose."

Mr Kandt said he could not comment for legal reasons.

Age Concern has condemned the policy and is backing action against the government on the issue.