COUNCILLOR Trevor Maxfield has hit back at criticisms over the appointment of a clerk for Darwen Town Council.

Sunnyhurst borough councillor Dave Hollings said it was “outrageous” that local people had not been given a chance to apply for the job, which was not advertised.

However, the appeal for the clerk did run as a story in the Lancashire Telegraph.

Nobody responded to the story and Rebecca Hay was appointed after recommendation from the Lancashire Association of Local Councils.

Coun Maxfield said: “I don’t know where Dave Hollings gets his information from.

“The town council was advised by Blackburn with Darwen Council not to advertise in the Lancashire Telegraph, but a story did run in the paper.

“Nobody replied and so we had to look for recommendations.

“Rebecca attended the last town council meeting and was offered the position on a unanimous vote from all parties.

“I think we all thought that we had given more than enough time for a local person to come forward and that it was imperative that we appointed a suitable person as soon as possible, which we did.”