THE race is on to replace health supremo Bill Ashworth who has revealed that he is to stand down from his job as chairman of East Lancashire Health Authority.

Mr Ashworth will retire from the post he has held since its inception more than over five years ago when his term of office ends in March.

Former county court judge Mr Ashworth, 70, said it was better to retire when people were asking why he was going rather than why he was staying.

Mr Ashworth, who received a CBE in this year's Queen's Honours List, thanked members and officers for their help and support.

He said: "I feel we have built up a very strong health authority which is recognised as such."

Even before he made his statement, the scramble was on to find a replacement for the £15,000-a-year job of leading the body which spends £400m every year buying health care for the area's 500,000 population.

Burnley Labour Party has nominated Pendle council Labour leader Azhar Ali. His nomination was a snub for former council group leader Coun Kath Reade, a director of Burnley Health Care Trust and health spokesman on the powerful new North West Development Agency.

The snub comes 18 months after Coun Reade was ousted as council leader by colleagues. Coun Ali, a Pendle councillor for four years and a relatively new member of Burnley Health Trust, said: "I would always support Bill Ashworth because he is doing an excellent job. But now he has announced he is to stand down, I would consider putting my name forward."

Another possible contender is Blackburn Council leader Coun Malcolm Doherty, already a member of the health authority.

When asked if he was interested, he said: "This is a difficult one. If I was asked, I would have to think about it very carefully."

Coun Reade was not available for comment.

But health watchdog Coun Frank Clifford, chairman of Burnley Community Health Council, today warned of any rush to a decision.

"It is vital that the right person with experience and full understanding of the health care needs of East Lancashire gets the job," he said.

Nelson-born Mr Ashworth was a solicitor in Burnley for many years and was appointed a District Judge in East Lancashire in 1980.

In 1974 he became founder chairman of Burnley, Pendle And Rossendale Community Health Council and was founder chair of the North West Association of CHCs.

He became a member of the Burnley , Pendle and Rossendale Health Authority in 1982 and was appointed chairman in 1991 before taking the reins at the new East Lancashire Health Authority in 1994.

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