A COUNCILLOR who was investigated by local authority chiefs after he was accused of malpractice in a series of malicious letters has called in the police in an attempt to find the poison pen writer.

Coun Dave Parkins was yesterday cleared of any wrong doing by Hyndburn Council.

He had been accused, in an anonymous letter, of arranging preferential treatment for his stepson Simon Kenyon, a council house tenant in Bolton Avenue, Huncoat, by council workers.

The letter claimed more than 20 council workers had been working at Mr Kenyon's home over the past eight weeks, including five on one door, allegedly working in the garden.

Hyndburn Council immediately launched an investigation into the claims.

The authority's solicitor Jane Ellis said: "We have carried out an investigation and have concluded that there we have found no proof whatsoever to back up the claims made in the letter. "I am happy there has been no preferential treatment instigated by Coun Dave Parkins."

Two anonymous letters are believed to have been in circulation. One, sent to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, accused Coun Parkins of malpractice. Another, sent to council leader Peter Britcliffe and chief executive Mike Chambers, accused Coun Parkins of being unfit for office because he has a county court judgements against him.

Coun Parkins, who also lives in Bolton Avenue, today said: "That is an absolute lie. I have no county court judgements against my name. The letters have been very personal and affected all of my family.

"I have contacted the police and they are looking into it. I will leave no stone unturned until I find the gutless wonder who decided to try and ruin my reputation."

He added: "The work in the garden was carried out by our family and there are still many things which need sorting, including the windows which are dangerous. They are probably only going to be replaced in December. That isn't preferential treatment in my book."

Earlier this week, Mr Kenyon accused the letter writers of ' petty jealousy.'

He said: "I have never received special favours." A police spokesman confirmed the matter had been reported to them and that it was being looked into.