A COUNCILLOR has sparked a furious row after calling for a £45,000 sponsorship deal with Accrington Stanley to be scrapped to save money.

Labour councillor Tim O'Kane says the three-year deal, announced in June, should be one of the first things to be axed as the council struggles to make £1.8million savings on this year's budget.

Tory council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe today insisted the council was required to see out the deal once it had been signed.

And furious Eric Whalley, chairman of the club, labelled the move "pathetic" and said the council could have the money back -- with interest -- if it did not want to back the "town's biggest asset."

Coun Britcliffe said this year's £15,000 has already been spent and has proved good value for money for the borough.

Coun O'Kane said: "We are nearly £2million in debt. Why are we spending £45,000 of tax payers money? The club will get £50,000 for last night's FA Cup replay. They should be bailing us out. Every £40,000 debt represents one per cent on the council tax."

Coun Britcliffe said: "We are trying to save money on this year's budget. The actual amount of sponsorship this year was £15,000 and we have already spent that and had value from it in terms of the footballing schools that have been arranged, and the national exposure. For the third time this season, the name of Hyndburn was on everyone's television screen last night. The Accrington Stanley deal is not being considered at this stage, but nothing should be ruled out." Mr Whalley said: "They can scrap it as far as I'm concerned and I will give them their money back and the interest they have lost on it. I couldn't care less.

"It won't make any difference to us, it won't even buy us a player.

"They are pathetic people these councillors who think they are going to get brownie points if they call the council for giving £15,000 to the biggest asset in the town." It is not the first time the deal has been criticised. Earlier this year Labour councillor Dave Parkin said the money should be used to improve services in the borough.