A TOWN council for Darwen is set to become a reality after residents voted in favour in today's referendum.

By a margin of 2,378 to 1,725, voters said they wanted town council in a move supporters say will "re-establish Darwen's identity".

But opponents have not given up hope, claiming the vote could not be conclusive because of the low turnout.

A crowd gathered at Sacred Heart and St Edward School tonight for the count after polls closed at 8pm and there were loud cheers when returning officer Graham Burgess read out the results.

Speaking afterwards, For Darwen Party leader Tony Melia, who has led a Yes vote campaign, said: "The people have spoken.

"We were always confident that people wanted this. This is a good day for Darwen."

If established, a town council would mean a mayor and possibly a town crier for Darwen. It would have low-level powers including maintaining public footpaths, providing litter bins and bus shelters, and lighting roads. Official estimates put the cost at about £9 per year for a Band A household.

Tonight politicians off all colours accepted the turnout - just over 20 per cent - was not as high as they had hoped.

Borough councillors will now be asked to ratify the vote at a full council meeting in December. Lib Dem leader David Foster, who has not supported a town council and has criticised For Darwen's campaign, said this may not be a formality.

He said: "The question now is whether 20 per cent is a sufficient mandate to make this decision.

"It would have been easier for all of us if the vote had been clear one way or the other. I don't think they have, and as a group we have to stand back and think what to do next."

Tory council leader Colin Rigby said: "I would have been more impressed had there been a higher turnout, and whether that's lack of interest I couldn't say.

"The people of Darwen will have to decide whether they get value for money."

Executive member for neighbourhoods John Slater said he expected elections for the 13 council positions to take place in May.

Labour Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Hollings said: "We said all along we would accept whatever the people chose."

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