A COUNCILLOR has joined in the fight to clear the name of a community association suspended by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The Bank Top Community Association was temporarily dissolved last week while an investigation takes place over alleged irregularities with its accounts.

The association's funds were frozen while the investigation continues, and Twin Valley Homes distributed a letter, which has angered some local people, saying it no longer recognised the association after it had been 'dissolved'.

Now Wensley Fold ward Councillor Don Rishton has hit out at the action taken by the housing association.

To distance himself from the letter sent by Twin Valley, Coun Rishton described it as "premature", as no final judgement has been made on the fate of the association.

He said: "I felt the action was premature. We haven't had the final result of any inquiry.

"I don't know who Twin Valley consulted with, but it certainly wasn't myself. The letter I saw blankets the whole of the estate. They're stating the community association has been dissolved, but it is just temporary.

"The way it was worded indicated some finality, but that isn't the case. Before action is taken it should be on the basis of the facts. Natural justice needs the facts.

"This doesn't help anybody -- and it tarnishes every member of the community association."

The association, covering 40,000 residents, is one of 18 in the Blackburn and Darwen area eligible for council funding, and the only one to have its own housing sub-committee. Following an audit in June this year, the association was told that it had made around 20 accounting errors.

Then in October, the officers of the association, chairman Mr Peter Newton and vice-chairman Mr Eddie Duxbury, were asked to step down, but refused. In a statement, the officers said: "As the leading, and highly respected, community association in the borough our only crime has been to fight both the council and Twin Valley Homes on many issues, for all the members of the Bank Top community.

"We have fully co-operated in the Regeneration Department's investigation, and have supplied all the information requested, which we are certain will exonerate us from blame."

Phil Richards, Chief Executive of Twin Valley Homes, said: "Our primary concern, while the group is not operational following the actions by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, is that tenants of Twin Valley Homes in the Bank Top area can still have their say in how homes and services are provided."