A ROW has broken out in Darwen over where cash ought to be spent, after Sudell ward councillor Roy Davies claimed his district was missing out.

The Liberal-Democrat councillor, who lives in Olive Lane, hit out at Blackburn with Darwen Council and said the Sudell area was becoming run-down while the Sunnyhurst area was having cash poured into it.

He said he was concerned about the increasing number of empty and boarded-up houses.

But Sunnyhurst ward councillor Dave Hollings, speaking on behalf of his fellow ward councillors, said they had fought hard for the cash and there had been a lot of investment in the Sudell ward in previous years.

Current projects in Sunnyhurst include the Darwen Academy, plans for a new £9million leisure centre, refurbishment work in the St Peter's Conservation area, and town centre regeneration plans.

Last year, Coun Davies helped secure £400,000 for a new neighbourhood green in Olive Lane, Sudell, reportedly the most deprived ward in Darwen.

Coun Davies said: "The number of boarded-up houses in the Sudell ward is getting beyond a joke.

"I counted about 15 either boarded or bricked up around Tythebarn Street and the bottom of Olive Lane.

"I am concerned that if it carries on like this, people are going to move out and it could end up a clearance area.

"Something needs to be done. When I have asked for refurbishment grants for this year I have been told the housing market renewal money has been spent demolishing the old Two Gates estate.

"In my opinion, all the money is going to Sunnyhurst ward including the Redearth HMR money, the leisure centre and the academy which will replace Moorland.

"Sunnyhurst is not classed as a deprived ward, whereas Sudell is."

Coun Hollings said: "The Labour councillors for the Sunnyhurst ward have fought effectively to get more resources for the area and we are very happy and proud to say that major investment is now coming for Sunnyhurst.

"The Sudell ward has had more investment than any other in the borough during the past few years."