A CALL for Government cash aid for Lancashire farmers hit by the beef crisis has triggered a political row.

Independent Councillor Tom Sharratt called for immediate aid for farmers losing out because of the BSE crisis.

But the plea, at a stormy meeting of Lancashire County Council, was thrown out by the ruling Labour group.

Now opposition councillors claim they were gagged and are furious at the way the debate was handled.

Tory leader Derek Lockwood said: "I cannot recall a time when members have been gagged in such a way."

The Conservative group is angry that the debate was cut short and calls for a recorded vote turned down.

Council chairman Coun Hazel Harding, who was in charge of the debate, dismissed the claims as nonsense.

She said: "I gave 10 Conservative councillors a chance to speak on the issue and the debate was aired fully.

"Conservatives asked for a recorded vote but failed to follow the procedures properly."

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