A LEADING councillor has urged council bosses to remember the Darwen in 'Blackburn with Darwen' after claiming that residents in the town were losing out.

Darwen councillor Fred Slater hit out after learning that a scheme which gives loyal users of Blackburn Market the chance to swim for free at three pools in the town.

Users of Darwen Market are not included in the scheme, which, claimed Coun Slater, was a sign that the town had been overlooked.

But council bosses said the only reason Darwen wasn't participating in the scheme was because they had something better planned for shoppers in the town.

Coun Slater said: "We should be doing all we can to encourage people to go swimming. But once again, we see Darwen left behind. There is a Darwen in Blackburn with Darwen.

"People who go shopping in Blackburn benefit but people who go to Darwen don't get anything for their loyalty.

"I would like to see shoppers in Darwen treated equally. We need incentives likes this."

The joint promotion between Blackburn Markets and and the council's leisure and cultural services department was launched on June 13.

Market customers have the chance to win vouchers for swimming sessions at Daisyfield Swimming Pool, Waves or Shadsworth Leisure Centre.

Customers collect a free loyalty card and for every £5 they spend on the market, they receive a sticker on their card.

A full card is exchanged for a free swim voucher.

A report to last week's full council meeting revealed that if the scheme was successful, it would be extended to Darwen Market.

Coun Slater added: "It should have included Darwen from the start."

Coun Ashley Whalley, whose regeneration portfolio includes the markets, said: "We approached Darwen Leisure Centre who felt they could offer a wider range of incentives other than just swimming but it would take time to prepare.

"So we went to the Darwen market traders and they agreed it would be better to wait for the leisure centre to reply to us."