HYNDBURN'S Labour group has done a massive U-turn in the row over who will be the borough's next mayor, accepting the ruling Conservative group's nomination.

That means Coun Wyn Frankland will be Hyndburn's first citizen this year, with outgoing mayor Coun Sandra Hayes her deputy. Miles Parkinson, Labour's nomination for the mayoralty, will take on the new title of mayor designate.

It is a major change of heart for the ousted Labour group, which voted unanimously last week to stick to its guns and insisted it should be its mayoralty. When Labour mayoral candidate Wendy Dwyer was defeated at this month's elections it selected Coun Parkinson. The Labour group was outraged because it said when a similar situation arose last year and Tory mayoral candidate Derek Scholes lost his seat, they allowed the Conservatives to nominate another candidate.

The announcement was made in a joint statement by council leader Peter Britcliffe and Labour leader Coun Jean Battle. Council leader Coun Britcliffe said: "I am delighted that Miss Frankland is to receive this nomination and feel sure that she will do a great job for the borough. I know this means a lot to her and that she will carry out the role with dignity and commitment.

"While no one would deny that this has been a difficult decision this year following the loss at the local election of Coun Wendy Dwyer who was due to take up this position, I am pleased that the parties have been able to sit down and find a constructive solution. The problem we have had this time is that there was no constitutional way forward. Now there's a policy that will take all the politicking out of the situation and will be a very clear guide as to what could happen."

Coun Battle said: "Although the Labour group felt great disappointment about the change in policy, we are keen to avoid any disruption to the annual meeting and have every confidence that Coun Frankland will do an excellent job as mayor .

"I think it's fair to say that both parties have taken a very positive approach to resolving this problem and have been committed to putting the interests of the borough first. It's not a U-turn as such. I think we have to behave like grown-ups. It's all right sticking to a principle but it doesn't do the borough any good to be seen to be squabbling.

"Mayor designate is a guarantee our nomination will be forwarded next year without anyone falling out. It's a compromise but we wouldn't have had anything if we had pushed it any further. This way we get a bit of something."