A WAR of words over Darwen town council has broken out between MP Janet Anderson and Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate Dale Mulgrew.

Mr Mulgrew will challenge for Mrs Anderson’s Rossendale and Darwen seat at the next general election.

He claimed his rival was confusing residents by calling for the town council to have planning powers, which it will not. Mrs Anderson responded by saying the Liberals had been “unclear” on the town council issue. She said a parliament petition for planning powers did not exist.

Residents voted in favour of forming a town council last week, but Blackburn with Darwen Council still needs to approve the move at a meeting in December.