A MOVE to disqualify Hyndburn Council leader George Slynn from this year's borough elections has failed.

Independent candidate Adrian Shurmer, who is standing against Coun Slynn in Netherton ward, Great Harwood, asked returning officer Michael Chambers to disqualify Coun Slynn.

Mr Shurmer said the public exhibition outlining the proposed Safeway supermarket development in Great Harwood, should be charged to Coun Slynn's election expenses.

And he claimed a recent exhibition was one-sided political electioneering on behalf of Coun Slynn.

The planning application has yet to be considered by Hyndburn Council.

A council spokesman confirmed Mr Shurmer's letter had been received but Coun Slynn would not be disqualified from the election.

Coun Slynn said: "I think it high-time Mr Shurmer stopped playing silly games and concentrated on the real issues - the council's success in tackling crime, housing and environmental problems.

"I am prepared to stand on my record, why isn't Mr Shurmer content to do the same? I wonder if it is because he simply has nothing to say about how he would improve the well-being of the people of Hyndburn."

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