REBEL Labour councillors are waiting to see if they will be disciplined for ignoring a Party whip.

Church councillor Dave Massey voted against the proposed sell-off of Hyndburn council's freehold interest in the Accrington Arndale Centre to finance new civic offices.

Clayton-le-Moors councillor Mrs Cath Thom and Church councillor Jack Grime also refused to support the deal and each abstained at a special behind-closed-doors meeting.

Coun Thom said : "I could not agree with the officers recommendations," but declined to comment further.

She has previously felt the wrath of her party when axed from the housing committee over her opposition to a proposed estate in Clayton-le-Moors. Coun Grime said: "I have always been against selling off our assets and believe we could have explored other avenues."

Labour whip Bill Goldsmith said: "Obviously we will be discussing the issue but I can't say what the Labour Group will do.

"It depends how strongly individuals in the group feel."

The council has exchanged contracts for the sale of its freehold interest in a deal, believed to be worth almost £1.5 million.

The name of the buyer, a leading property investment company, is not being disclosed until the sale is completed.

This will take place within the next few days.

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