TWO senior East Lancashire Conservative councillors are backing Liz Truss for the party leadership.

With the contest now down to a straight fight between the foreign secretary and former chancellor Rishi Sunak the area's MPs were tight-lipped over their choice to succeed Boris Johnson.

But the leaders of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Burnley Council Tory groups, Cllrs John Slater and Alan Hosker, declared their support for Mrs Truss.

She has also won the support of taxi driver turned social media sensation Cllr Tiger Patel as a woman who 'knows about household inflation'.

But Cllr David Foxcroft, leader of Rossendale Council's Conservative group, is not intending to vote.

Audley and Queens Park ward in Blackburn's Cllr Tiger Patel said: "I am voting for Liz Truss. She is trustworthy. She knows about household inflation because she is a woman. Rishi was too close to Boris."

Cllr Slater said: "I am backing Liz Truss.

"I want to see us go back to our traditional values of low taxation and high growth.

"I think Liz Truss will be the one to deliver that."

Cllr Hosker said: "I shall be voting for Liz Truss.

"I like her ideas of tax cuts and bringing fuel prices down as people are struggling with the cost of living."

Cllr Foxcroft said: "I have no intention of voting for either. I don't believe they will provide the leadership my residents want or deliver the change that they voted for.

"I was vocal in my support for Tom Tugendhat and then Penny Mordaunt and was disappointed neither them made it to the final ballot."

Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe: "I am currently listening to constituents and reflecting who will be the best to deliver for Hyndburn and Haslingden."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry, who had backed Mr Tugendhat, said: "I am remain undeclared and will be continuing to consult with both candidates to see who will deliver the best outcomes for my constituents."

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham, who had backed Mrs Mordaunt, was unavailable for comment.

Sara Britcliffe: "I am currently listening to constituents and reflecting who will be the best to deliver for Hyndburn and Haslingden."

Hyndburn Council Conservative group leader Cllr Marlene Haworth said: "I haven't got a clue who I am going to vote for.

"My main concern is that I hope whoever wins will keep the levelling up grants going."

Cllr Stephen Atkinson, Tory leader of Ribble Valley Council, said: "I don't know who I'm voting for yet."

Cllr Nadeem Ahmed, the Conservative leader of Pendle Council, said: "I am totally undecided at this moment. I don't know enough about either."