A TOWN council for Darwen has moved a step closer thanks to a new Government bill.

Under the new legislation, the principal authority - Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council - can decide to establish a town council without any need for approval from the Secretary of State, provided it can show that it has consulted the people of Darwen.

And councillors have already voted for a referendum on the town council.

It is now therefore up to Graham Burgess, the Chief Executive of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, to decide whether to create the council.

Previously 10 per cent of residents must have signed a petition backing the town council for the Government to consider the move.

But, despite the new legislation, people are still being urged to sign the petition to show the strong support for the town council.

The For Darwen party is collating a petition on the move, which has already been signed by 2,500 people.

We also started an online petition which has already almost 100 signatures in just two days.

A town council is one of the key aims of the Lancashire Telegraph's 'We're Backing Darwen' campaign which we launched this week to help revitalise the town.

The new council would allow people to have a bigger say on by-laws and planning issues through locally elected councillors and also act as a major forum and lobbying organisation.

The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill received its Royal Assent on Wednesday.

For Darwen leader, Coun Tony Melia, said that he was fully aware of the new bill, but would still be running the petition.

He said: "The new bill doesn't change the fact that we are still going ahead with the petition.

"In the past, the old administration were accused of not carrying out the consultations properly. This time, the petition will show what the people of Darwen want.

"It will show the Chief Executive at the council how strong the feeling is, so the petition is still very important."

Anyone who is a resident of Darwen can sign the petition which is available in Cameo Cutting Shop in Railway Road, Genesis Plumbing and Electrical Supplies in Duckworth Street, Urban Location in Bridge Street and Buxton's Bakers in Bridge Street.

You can also sign the Lancashire Telegraph's online petition at www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk