RESIDENTS of a proposed new council ward in East Lancashire have joined the battle over which parliamentary constituency it should be in. Labour MPs Jack Straw and Janet Anderson are embroiled in a fight over the proposed new ward of Fernhurst, comprising parts of Ewood, Earcroft and Lower Darwen in Blackburn. It has been suggested the new ward form part of Janet Anderson's Darwen and Rossendale constituency, but she is opposed to the move. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw does not want the ward either, claiming it makes his Blackburn constituency too big. But what do the people of "Fernhurst" think. THERESA ROBSON went out on to the streets to find out. . .

THE Fernhurst ward has been proposed by the Government's Boundary Commission, which wants to increase the number of Westminster seats in Lancashire from 15 to 16, with an average of around 67,000 voters in each.

Jack Straw and Janet Anderson have been accused of wanting to abandon Fernhurst, because a high number of non-Labour voters are thought to live there.

If 100 residents or Blackburn with Darwen Council object to the proposed changes, an inquiry headed by an independent barrister will be held and a recommendation made to the Boundary Commission.

The political hot potato has divided opinion on the streets of Fernhurst, with some residents in favour of joining Blackburn and others Rossendale.

Carl Smith, 23, of Vincent Street, Ewood, said: "I want to stay in the Blackburn constituency. I certainly don't feel a part of Darwen and Rossendale. They should just leave things as they are."

Shop assistant Hilary Williams, of The Greenwood, Oakdale, said: "I want to stay in Blackburn, because Jack Straw is a great MP."

Cafe worker Sandra Barleyman, 42, of Penzance Street, Ewood, said: "I identify with Blackburn, not Rossendale. I want to stay in the Blackburn constituency."

Shop assistant Zoe Hesketh, 24, of Watson Street, Ewood, said: "I don't really understand the proposed changes, but I've never even been to Rossendale, so why would I want to vote there?"

Lollipop lady Hazel Martindale, of Vincent Street, Ewood, added: "I'm Blackburn born and bred. My identity lies with Blackburn. I've never been to Rossendale and have no wish to go there."

But Janet Anderson also has her fans in a ward that will include Ewood Park, home of Blackburn Rovers, within its boundaries.

Vincent Gregory, 51, of Elgar Close, Earcroft, said: "I'd rather be in Janet Anderson's constituency, because she's a better MP than Jack Straw. I used to live in Darwen and it's a great place."

Pensioner Harold White, 66, of Bolton Road, Ewood, added: "Janet Anderson is a nice lady, so I've no objection to going into her ward. A change is as good as a rest!"

And some residents were not bothered at all, claiming the proposed change was an exercise in number-crunching.

Adam Mason, 33, of Fernhurst Street, Fernhurst Farm, said: "I'm not bothered whether I'm in Blackburn or Rossendale. It makes absolutely no difference to me."

Leanne Walsh, 20, of Snape Street, Lower Darwen, said: "I'm really not bothered. An MP is an MP and what does it matter which constituency I'm in?"

Student Martin Sutherland, 18, of Douglas Close, Fernhurst Farm, added: "I'm not bothered either. It really doesn't matter which constituency we are in."