BURNLEY MP Peter Pike today dispelled rumours he was moving out of his constituency town to the Ribble Valley.

He insisted: "I love Burnley and this is where I'll stay."

Mr Pike said a deal was currently in the pipeline to sell his home, but didn't want to tempt fate by revealing too much until the deal was completed.

He said he and his wife were looking for a more suitable place to live in anticipation of his retirement in the next two or three years time.

The couple are considering a £300,000 bungalow in the Towneley area of the town.

The keen Burnley FC supporter has lived at his Ormerod Road home since 1975.

He said: "We love this house, but we felt we needed to move somewhere more appropriate as we are getting older. We need a property which will be more suitable for my wife.

"I've never for one minute considered moving into the Ribble Valley. We have discussed a number of options because we are both of pension age.

"Even though I was born in London I regard Burnley as my home and wouldn't want to leave. What about people like Jack Straw who have never lived in their constituency -- people don't complain about him not living in his constituency."