BATTLE lines have been drawn over plans to move electoral boundaries in Blackburn in the run-up to unitary status.

As the borough becomes independent, boundaries of certain wards will have to be changed to ensure they meet elector to councillor ratios.

But proposals from council officers met a stormy response from opposition parties when the policy and resources committee discussed recommendations to the Local Government Commission.

Labour backed officers' plans to shift the parish of Pleasington out of West Rural ward and into Billinge, and move Yate and Pickup Bank parish from Darwen's Marsh House to North Turton.

Conservatives announced their intention to submit their own views to the commission, while Liberal Democrat leader Coun Paul Browne refused to take either side.

He claimed local people did not want changes: "You are taking people somewhere where they don't want to go.

"You are moving electors out of Marsh House ward and they want to stop there," he told the meeting.

But Labour Coun Sue Reid hit back: "No individual is moving anywhere.

"We are talking about lines on maps. No-one will have to move home, or change their job.

Coun Maureen Bateson added: "Everyone will continue to be represented by Blackburn Council and will be very well represented".

Coun Colin Rigby said the Tories would submit their own proposals to the Commission.

And Labour Councillor Mike Barratt added: "Nobody can justify existing boundaries with population changes that have happened over years".

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