A RESIDENTS' association has pledged to carry on its work after the chairman and vice-chairman quit.

Bernard Sullivan announced his intention to stand down as chairman of West Accrington Residents' Association seconds after being presented with an award for his community work.

He had been in the post since the association started seven years ago.

Vice-chairman Michael Parkinson also stood down after the pair said they had been 'stabbed in the back' by Hyndburn Council.

Mr Sullivan said the association had been pushed out of an event last week to celebrate Neighbourhood Renewal activities in Hyndburn.

After putting three years' work into researching an accredited landlord scheme the council took all the credit, he said.

He had promised to reconsider his decision but today he said: "I'm not carrying on. I have had a good think about it and I shall carry on assisting but I'm not carrying on as chairman."

Last week Mr Sullivan and Mr Parkinson said they felt the council was blocking the group. They said the authority had never helped them to find a venue for their meetings, while other groups had been formed since and been given a venue.

Mike Chambers, the council's chief executive, said he thought the group had a workable venue.

But Mr Sullivan said: "He can say that but he has been at meetings and I have always banged that drum.

"I would rather they had listened to me than give me that plaque. I have told them many times. I'm very sad."

Mr Parkinson said: "The group will carry on but there will be some restructuring.

"We feel we have been let down too many times by the council. We have been stabbed in the back but this time it went through to the heart. I would like to wish West Accrington Residents Association the best of luck."

Fellow committee member Joan Pilkington said the committee -- now down to three members -- will be enrolling new members.

"We are fighting a continual battle and eventually it grinds you down,' she said.

"We will be struggling for a vice chairman -- I am the secretary as well so it looks like I will be doing both jobs.

"We will re-group and we will be looking to Mike Chambers to honour his pledge and we will be asking the council to fund some kind of premises like they do for everybody else. That's our first priority. Without that we can't involve the community at large.

"We need a place where people can pop in for a cup of tea. It's vital if you are going to keep a residents' association going."

And she paid tribute to Mr Sullivan and Mr Parkinson for the work they have done.

"They are vital members, people trying to do their best and at their own expense. It's sad."

Anyone who would like to become a member of the committee should contact Joan Pilkington on 01254 398491.