A POPULAR Rossendale Councillor has resigned, sparking a by-election that could tip the town hall balance into the Tories' favour.

Stacksteads Councillor Dale Connearn, 38, who joined the council 14 months ago, left earlier this week.

The Rossendale-born father of three was elected to the Stacksteads ward in the 'all-out' 2002 elections before he was re-elected in May unopposed. The result left both Labour and Conservatives with 17 councillors and one Independent.

If the Conservatives win the by-election, they will have the largest party, although any decisions will be determined by how the Liberal Democrat and Mayor vote.

Conservatives have been calling for Coun Connearn to resign since the election because they said his role as community development worker with Rossendale Partnership would affect his role as councillor when the partnership was transferred to the council. Coun Connearn blames his resignation on the pressure that he and his family have been subjected to.

The former postman said: "My family has suffered because I have had to dedicate so much of my time to being a councillor. Just because I have resigned as a councillor doesn't mean that I don't care about the area any more.

"I will always care and I haven't said I will never come back to politics but, for the time being, my time needs to be focused on my three children."

Labour Leader Coun Graham Pearson, said: "This is a real loss to the council and to Stacksteads. Dale has been an excellent ward councillor working for the benefit of the people he represented.

"I know that during the past couple of months he has been very concerned about the effects on his family, especially the children, of political sniping.

"I think he has been a victim. The Conservatives wanted a by-election because they could possibly take over control of the council if they win the seat, even though only eight weeks ago they could not find a candidate to stand in Stacksteads.

"They want a second bite at it because the council's majority is so close.

"I am sure that Dale will continue to do a good job for the people in Bacup in his role as Development Worker for the SRB, the loss is to the council of a young person offering commitment and energy to make Rossendale a better place."

Conservative Councillor Jimmy Eaton, said: "We will be fielding a candidate in the by-elections, but we don't know who that will be as yet. Dale will be missed he was a decent lad."