TWO Labour MPs are embroiled in a fight over a council ward filled with Tory voters -- that neither of them wants.

The new ward has been proposed by the Government's Boundary Commission, which is conducting a review of Parliamentary seats in Lancashire.

It has proposed that Fernhurst, which includes parts of Ewood, Earcroft and Lower Darwen, be added to the Darwen seat.

But Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson is opposed to the move and wants Fernhurst, which would have over 4,000 voters, to form part of the Blackburn seat held by Jack Straw.

She claims people living there have an affinity with the town. But the Foreign Secretary has written to his local Labour group urging them to reject the idea because he said it will make his seat too big.

Both MPs have been accused of abandoning the area because a high number of non-Labour voters live in the area. And if Fernhurst was to from part of the Rossendale and Darwen seat at the General Election after next it would mean Blackburn Rovers Football Club, of whom Mr Straw is a fan and honorary vice-president, leaving Blackburn.

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The commission wants to increase the number of constituencies from 15 to 16, with an average of just over 67,000 voters in each.

If either 100 residents or Blackburn with Darwen Council object to the proposed changes, an inquiry headed by an independent barrister will be held to decide the matter.

In a letter to Coun Dave Harling, the leader of the Blackburn Labour Party who backs keeping the ward in Blackburn, Mr Straw said: "I know that Mrs Anderson and her constituency Labour party are anxious that the Fernhurst ward should be added to the Blackburn constituency.

"I appreciate her concerns but I honestly believe that such an addition would have major disadvantages."

Mr Straw then urged his local party to consider "the politics of the situation" and said including Fernhurst in Blackburn would take it past the recommended number of voters.

In the last council elections in May 2002 the Conservatives came second in Earcroft and Ewood when 38 per cent of people voted Tory.

Leader of the Conservative group at Blackburn with Darwen Council, Coun Colin Rigby, said there were a high number of Tory voters in Fernhurst and two new housing estates meant their ranks would be swelled further.

He added: "Mr Straw has had considerable problems within Blackburn caused by the conflict in Iraq and Mrs Anderson will be concerned about her own position.

"And the Rossendale and Darwen constituency has always been marginal, and the inclusion of the Fernhurst ward will make it more so."

Joe Smith, chairman of the Blackburn Conservative Association, said: "It is part of Blackburn. We looked at the area when it was first being mooted. We would be really pleased to have that ward within the Blackburn boundary because we think it is changing very quickly.

"There is a lot of new development and we feel it could be a strong area for us."

President of the Darwen Conservative Association, Coun Fred Slater, said: "We would be very pleased if we got this ward. We think it is highly winnable for us and would bring some welcome Conservative council seats to Darwen."

The issue is set to be discussed at the next meeting of the Ewood and Fernhurst Community Association on Friday. Chairman Nan Goodall said: "It would not be right to comment before the meeting but people in Ewood could be very upset by what is proposed."

Bob Farrance, a Boundary Commission spokesman said: "Clearly there is a difference of views and if a local enquiry was to be held it is just the type of issue they would be interested in."

Today Mr Straw refused to make any further comment. Mrs Anderson said she wanted an inquiry to be held.

She added: "There is some local discussion about this because many people feel the M65 motorway provides an obvious boundary between the two seats and that, therefore, this ward belongs to Blackburn.

"Given the proximity of Ewood Park, this seems to make sense."