TWO more East Lancashire local authorities have revealed they have contracts with Russia’s Gazprom.

Pendle and Hyndburn councils have confirmed they have deals with the energy giant which is seen as close to president Vladimir Putin and finance his war machine.

Both are now seeking to end the contracts for gas supply for their buildings in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

The news follows Blackburn with Darwen Council revealing it manages a contract for several borough schools with Gazprom. It too is seeking to sever its ties with the firm.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council said: “Currently we have supply contracts with Gazprom. The biggest part of this contract is to supply gas to Hyndburn Leisure, and we are pleased to confirm the supply to this site will end in June/July 2022, after the decarbonisation works are complete.

"Suppliers will be reviewed when contracts come to an end, to avoid financial penalties, and alternative suppliers will be sought as we seek to remove contracts with Russian providers.”

Rose Rouse, chief executive of Pendle Borough Council, said: “Pendle Council can confirm that it does have a contract with Gazprom Energy. As a matter of urgency, we are reviewing this contract and looking at alternative gas suppliers.”

Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, the leader of Pendle Council’s Labour group, said: "It is absolutely the right thing to review this contract. In the current situation the council should end any links it has got with Gazprom as soon as possible.”

The authority’s Liberal Democrat leader Cllr David Whipp said: “I am surprised. Reviewing the contract is the right thing to do. We should have nothing to do with the vile Putin regime in Russia.”

Lancashire County Council and the district councils in Burnley, Ribble Valley and Rossendale all confirmed that have no contracts with Gazprom.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s decision to end the contract with Gazprom - worth tens of thousands of pounds a year - and find an alternative supplier was welcomed by the authority’s Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater and Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne.

Blackburn with Darwen and Pendle are among several councils across England who use the part-state-owned firm’s gas to heat buildings including offices, schools and social housing.

All are now seeking to end their contracts as soon as possible.

Cllr Vicky McGurk, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s finance boss, said at the weekend: “We share the world’s horror at the Russian invasion of Ukraine and sense of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

“Gazprom Energy is not one of the council’s main energy providers, but we do manage a Gazprom contract on behalf of some local schools.

“We have given notice of our intention to end this contract and we are looking at alternative gas providers.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s contracts with Gazprom were worth £128,652 between 2018 and 2021 with £54,368 of the spend last year according to data firm Tussell.