COUNCILLORS in the Sunnyhurst ward of Darwen are urging residents who had been dealing with arrested councillor Dave Smith to contact them if they need help.

Coun Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for culture, leisure and sport, was arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images and bailed by police until next month.

He has suspended himself from his executive board post at the council, and from the Blackburn with Darwen Labour Party.

Coun Dave Hollings, a fellow executive board member and Sunnyhurst ward councillor, said: "Anyone who can't get hold of Dave can ring either myself or Nigel Nuttall, the other ward councillor. We are more than happy to help."

Coun Smith, who lives in Woodbank Avenue in Sunnyhurst, has not spoken publicly since details of his arrest emerged last week.

He is also the subject of a council investigation into whether he broke the code of conduct.

Council leader Kate Hollern said last week that the breach concerned the use of a council computer.