POLICE are investigating after a council letter was doctored and circulated to back opposition to an entertainments licence at a private club.

Paul Humphries, the owner of the Oaklea Club, applied for the licence in July to extend the hours to run from 11am to 11pm Monday to Thursday, from 11am to 12.30am Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 11pm on Sunday.

The application divided the community, with 92 residents signing a letter supporting the application, and 27 copies of the forged letter sent in objection. There were also 12 individual letters of support and two individual letters of objection.

The amended letter replaced the top of the original with three paragraphs asking residents to sign an accompanying letter of objection, which would be collected.

The rest of the letter was as it had been sent out to residents by the council, giving details of the application and asked for residents' observations. Up to 50 copies of the amended version were circulated bearing the council insignia.

Members of the council's judicial committee this week rejected the application for the club on Whalley Road, Accrington.

Council leader Ian Ormerod, who is also the ward councillor for the area, spoke at the meeting on behalf of residents.

Paul Humphries, manager of the club, said he would be appealing, and accused Coun Ormerod of "inappropriate" behaviour after he spoke in favour of the objectors, one of whom was the landlord of the Grey Horse, opposite the club.

"His speech to his junior councillors at such a hearing is entirely inappropriate and can only be considered an abuse of his position. At no time did he declare an interest in either knowing or being a patron of the complainant."

Peter Shaw, of Claremont Road, Accrington, lives at the back of the club. He said: "We would again object if there is an appeal. We are fighting for our quality of life, end of story."

Councillor Tim O'Kane, portfolio holder for environmental health, said: "There is a fabricated letter, which is unacceptable. To aid the police with their enquiries if anyone knows who is responsible for this letter please contact the police."

A spokesman for Accrington CID said the letter purported to be from someone other than the sender, contravening the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981."