A COMMUNITY leader has accused Blackburn with Darwen Council of "censoring" a neighbourhood newsletter because it contained criticism of the authority.

Neil Jackson, of Rothesay Road, sent the first edition of the "Shadsworth Neighbourhood Free Press" to the council to be printed before being distributed to 1,300 homes in the district.

Blackburn with Darwen Council agreed to print the newsletter free of charge as part of its community development programme.

But when it was returned, Mr Jackson was amazed to discover the planned second page of the newsletter had not appeared.

This was the page in which Mr Jackson had launched an attack on the council, claiming it re-named the neighbourhood centre on Rothesay Road the Shadsworth Community Centre without consulting anybody from the area.

In a comment piece, he alleged that people who had put 20 years' work into improving amenities in the area are having far less say in the community since Blackburn won unitary status, independent of Lancashire County Council.

Mr Jackson also complained about the closure of a tea time club which ran arts, crafts, games trips and parties for five to eight-year-olds at the centre.

He added: "The council supported this newsletter because it promoted the centre. I wanted it to be a genuine newsletter containing genuine news, including criticism of the council.

"That is why it was called the Free Press. They didn't even contact me to explain why they were doing what they did.

Blackburn with Darwen Council head of community development Stephen Greenhalgh admitted page two had not been printed but rejected claims the council had censored the newsletter.

He added: "Mr Jackson is at liberty to distribute the page he is talking about.

"But we are more concerned about working with the people of Shadsworth and meeting the needs of the people who live there."

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