ROSSENDALE Council has rejected calls for the controversial sale of Bacup baths to be referred to its ethics and probity committee.

It decided by a 16-11 majority to go ahead with the sale to the children's help group Sure Start, despite claims that it had a moral responsibility to sell to property developer Brian Boys.

The same political split vote decided against asking the council's ethics committee to look into the matter. Coun David Hancock asked his colleagues to reconsider its decision.

They had gone a long way down the road of selling to the developer who would renovate the property. Sure Start would have been able to use it and that was the right way forward.

Brian Boys had been the only company to show any interest in the development of the building. They had been the only one to tender and had even sent a cheque a 10 per cent deposit on the bid price.

The cheque was later returned after the council received the late higher bid from Sure Start.

Coun Hancock said there had been some "fancy footwork" involved, adding: "We had a solution which would benefit Bacup. The developer has invested millions in the town.

" I am not certain Sure Start will use the whole of the building We don't want just one corner used and the rest going to ruin"

Coun Graham Pearson said it was morally wrong not to go ahead with the sale to the developer, who had been "kicked in the teeth".

Coun Alyson Barnes said she was not accusing anyone of financial impropriety but claimed there had been too much meddling and the issue should go to the ethics and probity committee.

Coun Christopher Wadsworth asked: "Why? We are here to represent the ratepayers. Nothing was signed and surely we have a moral duty and responsibility to the ratepayers."

Coun Neil Smith said they were getting double the price offered by the company, who were speculators. He added: "It would be morally wrong to go down this route. We are here to protect the public purse, not line the pockets of developers."