CONSERVATIVE splits are on show in a knife-edge council by-election next week.

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday July 14 in Great Harwood's Overton ward of Hyndburn Borough.

The four candidates include a Conservative candidate Liz McGinley, the wife of sitting Independent councillor Pat, and former Tory councillor Michael Miller who quit the party in June accusing Prime Minister Boris Johnson of having 'no integrity or honesty.

Labour has put forward education tutor Colin McKenzie while Reform UK is fielding Richard Oakley.

The by-election was caused by veteran Labour politician Michael Hindley resigning after being cautioned by the police and suspended by the party over an altercation during a break in a council meeting.

In May Labour's Scott Brerton won the ward by just 244 votes from Tory candidate and ex-Labour councillor Gareth Molineux.

In 2021 Mr Hindley beat Mr Molineux by 89 votes.

Hyndburn Council is currently run by a partnership of Independents and Conservatives led by Cllr Miles Parkinson who quit Labour in March claiming it was 'unpleasant, bullying and vindictive'.

May's local election results were inconclusive and the balance of the council is now 14 Conservatives, 13 Labour and seven Independents, six of whom have quit Labour and Cllr McGinley.

Wayne Fitzharris, Reform UK's Lancashire spokesman, said: "Richard is standing for change and for in independent voice for Great Harwood. He has lived in the town for 30 years."

Hyndburn Labour group leader Cllr Munsif Dad said: "Our candidate is very well know in Great Harwood and the feedback from the doorstep is very positive. Everybody knows that is happening in 10 Downing Street and with the cost of living crisis."

Former Rishton councillor Mr Miller said: "I did apply to be the Conservative candidate but then the revelations about Boris's 'partygate' antics started to come out and it was too much. I manage 16 care homes across Lancashire so have seen the effects of Covid first-hand."

Mrs McGinley, 71, had previously stood unsuccessfully in Great Harwood's Netherton ward for the Conservatives.

Conservative group leader Cllr Marlene Haworth said: "I am disappointed Mr Miller is standing. We expect to win."

Cllr Parkinson said: "I am not endorsing any candidate. It is up to the people of Great Harwood to vote for who the wish to be their councillor."

Cllr McGinley, who resigned from the Tory Party in January last year, said: "I am supporting my wife in this by-election if though I am from a different party. I am really an Independent Conservative."