A LIBERAL Democrat councillor has defected to the Conservatives amid claims that the Tories have tried to poach candidates in the run-up to May's elections.

Whalley councillor Arthur Pearson has said he will be standing for the Tories at the forthcoming borough elections.

Howel Jones, leader of the ruling Liberal Democrat group, said his defection "did not come as a complete surprise."

And he accused the Conservatives of approaching other councillors, among them Ribble Valley Mayor-elect Brian Collis, although Tory bosses have denied a widespread attempt to recruit opponents.

Coun Pearson, who has been a parish councillor for 20 years and a borough councillor since 1995, said he had always been a Tory and was returning back to his roots.

"I have always voted for the Conservatives, but like many people at the last election I was dissatisfied with the Tories and decided to join the Liberal Democrats. Now I have decided to return to my roots, but if elected will continue to do my best for the people of Whalley."

Liberal Democrat leader Howel Jones said: "The Liberal Democrats do not have a party whip on the council, leaving a large measure of freedom to members in exercising their vote. Coun Pearson exercised that freedom somewhat erratically, frequently to the disadvantage of the party, giving the impression that he was not in tune with the majority of us. "I am aware that the Conservative Party has approached other Liberal Democrats, including the Mayor-elect, without success. I trust Coun Pearson will find satisfaction with his new colleagues," he said.

Tory leader Peter Redpath denied there was an attempt to recruit Liberal Democrat councillors to the Tory ranks.

"I spoke to Brian Collis several months ago and have received no response. My approach was not followed up and that is the extent of it. It's not the case that there has been a large-scale operation to recruit Liberal Democrats. I seconded Coun Collis's nomination as Mayor-elect and my support for him remains," he said.

Ribble Valley Council is currently split between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives, with independent councillors including lone Labour man Bert Jones holding the balance of power.

He is one of several prominent Ribble Valley councillors expected to stand down at the May elections, among them former Ribble Valley Mayors Dorothy Pearson, who represents Slaidburn, and Eileen Lowe, of Sabden.

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