PRESTON Borough Council members are being targeted with bizarre threats to 'out' them as gays.

They have been sent letters and faxes and some have been left pager messages. Other letters have been sent to journalists.

Just a few days ago Liberal Democrat Coun Joe Fitzgerald announced he had decided not to carry out his threat to name other homosexual councillors, following his admission that he was gay.

Council bosses had hoped the storm had died a death and the latest threats have come as a surprise.

In a letter to a Citizen reporter, the mystery writer - obviously a council insider - makes lurid claims.

Council Leader Peter Rankin (Labour) said none of his party was involved in the simmering row. "It is dreadful this is happening but I think it has a lot to do with the fall outs."

Coun Bill Chadwick, leader of the Lib Dems said: "When we find out who this is, we will begin legal action. It is quite horrifying."

Conservative Mayor Geoff Swarbrick said: "The council chamber is the wrong place to bring this up."

Other councillors have been equally scathing about the bizarre threats.

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