CONSERVATIVES in Blackburn with Darwen are hoping to challenge Labour dominance in the borough at local elections on May 6.

The party is fielding candidates in all 20 of the seats up for grabs in the area - and they hope to have their first-ever Asian councillor, with Iqbal Awan standing in the marginal Corporation Park ward.

Local Tory leader Coun Jim Hirst and his deputy, Coun John Williams, are also both up for election, as is Coun Fred Slater in his East Rural ward. The Tories currently have 12 seats in the council chamber.

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