A LABOUR councillor has slammed Hyndburn Council's leadership for striking a £45,000 deal with Accrington Stanley.

Huncoat ward councillor Dave Parkins said Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe was offside and accused him of "vote catching," saying the cash should be used to improve services and amenities in Hyndburn.

The three-year deal was announced last month and will see the establishment of workshops for talented youngsters in the borough.

Club chiefs say it could lead to the establishment of an Accrington Stanley Academy.

But Coun Parkins is outraged that council taxpayers' money is being used for the deal.

"The first I knew about it was when I read it in the paper. It had never gone through the Labour group. I think strongly we have better things to spend that money on. Accrington Stanley have got where they have without our help.

"Councillor Britcliffe is always moaning that we have not got enough government money, then he gives away £45,000 of council taxpayers' money. He never consulted the people. It's not on.

"I'm dead against it, I was fuming when I read it. The borough's in a mess and there are other things we can spend our money on as a council rather than sponsoring Stanley. I'm not against them, but at the end of the day council taxpayers' money is more important. It's all for vote catching."

Coun Parkins said he would be speaking against the deal when it comes before the full council on Tuesday.

His leader Jean Battle said there were mixed feelings in the group but gave the scheme her backing.

She said: "The leadership, Coun David Myles and myself, are backing this deal because we do see benefits for the young people of Hyndburn with the programme Accrington Stanley have promised to put on.

"It will also promote the borough, because people don't know where Hyndburn is."

Coun Britcliffe said: "It's already beginning to pay dividends. There is to be a summer school for up to 200 youngsters who will be kept busy instead of being on the streets of the town. The first match of the season is being broadcast by Sky TV so Hyndburn will be on show to a worldwide audience.

"Coun Parkins may feel the need to dissent but I think he's perhaps out of tune not only with his own side but also with public feeling."

The club, one of the founders of the Football League, won promotion from the Unibond League last season and is now only one promotion away from a return to the top flight.

l Coral bookmakers, in Union Street, Accrington, are offering odds of 33-1 on Stanley winning the Conference League, 18-1 on the town side winning promotion, and 4-1 on them being relegated after one season.