FORMER Euro MP Michael Hindley is one of eight serving Labour county councillors to be dumped from the party's candidate list for this year's elections.

Mr Hindley, who returned to politics when he secured the Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham seat in 2001, has not been allocated a ward to contest, Labour bosses have confirmed.

Other East Lancashire casualties include Great Harwood veteran George Slynn, who last week announced he was joining the Liberal Democrats as their candidate for his long-held seat.

Rossendale East's David Easton, Chorley West's David Lloyd, South Ribble's Graham Davies and Longridge-based Stephen Wilkinson are among the other serving councillors to be replaced for the elections.

Coun Wilkinson is expected to stand for Labour in the General Election against Tory Nigel Evans in Ribble Valley on the same day as the county fight -- May 5.

A spokesman for Labour Party North West said: "With the exception of Coun Slynn, all of the councillors made it through the selection process and on to the list for seats but were not selected.

"There is always competition and this does happen. In most cases, they remain active members of the party. It is sad that in Coun Slynn's case, he has decided to join the Lib Dems."

Coun Hindley's failure to secure a place on the list has come as the biggest shock to those at County Hall. He was first elected to Hyndburn Council in 1979 and was leader of the authority from 1981 to 1984.

In 1984, he became East Lancashire's MEP and served until 1999. Lately, he has been a fierce critic of New Labour.

County council leader Hazel Harding said: "These decisions have been reached using standard party procedure.

We will be in a position to name who is standing where in the coming weeks.