AN EAST Lancashire constituency has been added to the Conservatives’ target list as part of an ambitious move into Labour territory.

The Lancashire Telegraph has learned the Hyndburn seat, which also covers Haslingden in Rossendale, is among 20 being added to the list after a change of tactics by the Tories.

It means volunteers from other areas will be drafted in to help the fight, and could see more high-profile Tories visit the constituency, which has so far been left off their campaign trail.

Yesterday Conservative leader David Cameron announced an extension of his target seats into Northern areas consid-ered Labour heartlands.

He was accused of aba-ndoning Liberal Democrat seats following Nick Clegg’s recent surge in the polls.

The Labour candidate for Hyndburn said the move showed the Tories were ‘increasingly desperate’ in their attempts to win a majority on May 6.

Tory MP Nigel Evans, who is bidding to retain the Ribble Valley seat, said: “Hyndburn is definitely on the list, they have been sent a missive from central office saying ‘you are now a target seat’.

"It means Hyndburn will be the recipient of volunteers from other areas.”

The move suggests the Tory hierarchy has had a change of heart about its chances in Hyndburn, where a row over selection threatened to derail their chances and delayed the announcement of their candidate, Fylde councillor Karen Buckley.

Hyndburn has been Labour territory since 1992 when Greg Pope, who has stood down this time, won the seat.

A Tory spokeswoman would not confirm the new target list, including whether Blackburn, also rumoured to have been added, was on there.

Ms Buckley said she had not yet been told about the constituency being made a target seat, and admitted she was concerned over other parties’ ‘head start’ in the campaign.

She added: "From a party point of view, we consider this seat winnable.”

Labour candidate Graham Jones said: “I am not at all worried.

"If the Tories are targeting Hyndburn with 11 days to go it just shows how desperate they are.”

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