RIVALRY has flared again among opposing factions in Burnley's Daneshouse and Stoneyholme district - with one group withdrawing candidates from elections to decide who controls the area's new community centre.

The latest power struggle centres on allegations that hundreds of late membership registrations - enabling the holders to vote at the AGM and swing the elections in favour of those they support - were accepted by the centre's committee.

This resulted in one faction, supported by Labour councillors and the Jinnah community group, withdrawing from the election and sending a formal protest to centre owners, Lancashire County Council.

This has left the way open for the existing controlling group, supported by the Community Forum Group, to win re-election and continue to exercise power. The latest clash comes just weeks after an official county inquiry into turmoil at the £600,000 centre called for an end to community rivalry in the district.

The investigation was set up last year after the centre's first AGM erupted in chaos, with rivals ripping up ballot papers and bussing in scores of supporters to swing the elections.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council youth and community department said: "Five candidates withdrew on Wednesday from the elections for honorary positions on the community association at Stoneyholme and Daneshouse, therefore there was only one candidate for each of the vacant positions.

"The election appeared unnecessary and therefore Wednesday's election did not take place and that will be reported to the meeting of the community association and the annual meeting."

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