THE postponement of local elections has been welcomed by County councillors and MPs who say the needs of farmers must come first.

Elections are to be put off until June 7, with the possibility the general election will also be held on that date.

Senior ministers, including Home Secretary Jack Straw, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and Trade Secretary Stephen Byers, argued that a "short" delay would not damage tourism.

Blackburn MP Mr Straw said: "There has been no official decision but as circumstances change you have got to take those circumstances into account."

And Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson, who has already said she is in favour of a May 3 poll, said: "If this is right, then it shows that the Prime Minister is taking into account the mood of the country."

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, a senior government whip, said: "It would seem likely that the local elections will be moved to June 7 and I would expect the general election will be called then too.

"Tony Blair should be praised for personally taking control of tackling foot and mouth in the manner he has. I have had two outbreaks in my constituency and areas like Cumbria and Devon have been hit especially hard which would have made it difficult to carry on with an election anyway.

"The government has reacted to the mood of the nation."

However, some opposition candidates believe the move is little more than gesture politics.

Peter Britcliffe, the leader of Hyndburn Council and the prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Hyndburn, said: "I can't see what difference a month will make, surely it should be pushed back until October.

"I thought the best way to stamp out foot and mouth was to have a long, hot summer."

Oswaldtwistle County Councillor Dorothy Westell said: "I had already begun gearing up for my campaign so it is disappointing in that respect.

"But what can we do? The needs of the farmers have to come first. We cannot imagine what they are going through.

"It seems sensible now to hold the local and general elections together just to get them out of the way."