A LAST-minute by-election row has broken out over the future of a town's swimming pool.

As voters in Hyndburn Council's highly-marginal Overton ward prepare to go to the polls tomorrow Labour has accused the Conservatives of 'blatantly misleading' them over the fate of Great Harwood's Mercer Hall baths.

A leaflet put out by Tory candidate Liz McGinley with just hours to go before polling stations open says: "I just want to set the record straight and tell you that the Conservatives are committed to keeping the swimming baths in Great Harwood, unlike Labour councillors who have voted against a multi-million pound investment in Mercer Hall.

"I will work to ensure Great Harwood has the leisure facilities it deserves."

Former Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones has said this directly contradicts a report to the borough's Cabinet on June 22 where Conservative group boss Cllr Marlene Haworth as deputy leader of the council commits it to the borough's £10million Leisure Estate Investment Programme.

This strategy includes the development a new multi-million pound sports and leisure centre at Wilson's Playing Fields in Clayton-le-Moors which involves the closure of the pool at Mercer Hall.

He said: "Labour councillors and myself have opposed council leader Miles Parkinson and Marlene Howarth's plans to move the Mercer Hall swimming pool to Clayton.

"Two weeks ago they brought forward to cabinet their plans to move the pool to Clayton.

"In putting out a leaflet that says the opposite they have blatantly misled the public for political gain.

"Worse, they have tried to be underhand and they have put it out at the last minute."

Cllr Haworth said: "We are not misleading voters.

"No decision on Mercer Hall or the swimming pool in Great Harwood been taken and it will not be taken until the back end of this year or next year.

"We are committed to keeping a baths in the town and there are a couple of other options the council is actively looking at.

"Before any decision is taken we will consult with the people of Great Harwood fully."

The by-election was caused by the sudden resignation of former Labour councillor Michael Hindley in April.

The other three candidates are Labour's Colin McKenzie, Reform UK's Richard Oakley, and Independent Michael Miller.