COUNCILLORS from Blackburn and Darwen are to be checked out by police to make sure they have never committed any sexual offences.

The 20 members of Blackburn with Darwen Council's social services committee last night approved the measure. The council is one of the first authorities in the country to make such a move.

Social services officers have for many years been subject to police checks but councillors have increasingly come into contact with users of social services through visits to children's homes, complaints review panels and other forms of regulation.

A report drawn up by social services committee chairman Coun Sue Reid said: "The only exceptional offences the police will identify are those relating to sexual offences, indecency, assault and racial harassment.

"In the extremely unlikely event of an offence coming to light the police will contact, in the strictest confidence, the chief executive who will personally deal with any further action.

"The chief executive will inform the elected member who will then withdraw from the social services committee.

"By opening themselves up to police checks, elected members are taking an appropriate and responsible action that is reassuring to the public.

"It is doubtful whether many other local authorities have taken such a step, but undoubtedly this will create national interest and others are sure to follow. The Police are very supportive of the proposal and are very willing to assist in its implementation."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.