A PLANETARIUM could still be built in Darwen according to a senior councillor, despite claims it was an electioneering ‘gimmick’.

Official publicity produced by the For Darwen Party for leader Tony Melia’s bid at the Darwen and Rossendale Parliamentary seat in May’s General Election, claimed that the three-day market could be rebuilt featuring a planetarium in the roof space.

But Labour’s Dave Smith, who represents the Sunnyhurst ward for the town and borough council said: “I will believe it when I see it. In my opinion they just made it up.”

Coun Smith compared the planetarium plans to one of For Darwen’s previous election leaflets, which promised a new all-seater stadium for Darwen FC – using photographs taken from Tulsa in the US.

“It was a complete gimmick, just like the Hollywood Bowl idea,” he added.

Coun Melia hit back, saying: “The idea is still alive, but we are waiting to hear about spending cuts.

“Dave Smith might call it a gimmick, but it’s not.

"I’m surprised by his lack of enthusiasm for the town council and town in general.

“He needs to stop criticising and bickering and get off his backside and do something for the town.”

He added: “It would be a small planetarium that could be built for around £25,000 and even the town council could afford that.

"A couple of years ago we were told that the market redevelopment would be in about five years, so there’s probably about three to go now as long as the funding is made available.

“It would bring visitors in from all over the North West.

"Hopefully students at schools and colleges in the borough could go for free, with families paying to visit as an attraction at weekends.”