THE Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen was today starting his third week in hospital, but his family said they still do not know why.

A fortnight ago Coun Mike Barrett was admitted to hospital for the second time this year .

The Earcroft councillor had been suffering chest problems and had fluid drained from his lungs.

But his wife, Moira, said doctors had still not found out what was causing the problems.

She said: "I went to see him yesterday and he was a little bit better but but we don't know anything more than when he was first admitted in March."

Doctors at Queen's Park Hospital allowed Coun Barrett home last month but he was re-admitted after falling ill for a second time.

Blackburn with Darwen's deputy mayor and mayoress, councillors David and Karimeh Foster, have been filling in for Coun Barrett.