* A furious row is brewing in Hyndburn, where the council has rushed through a decision to ban political parties from taking stalls on markets in Accrington and Great Harwood.

The decision was branded “disgraceful” by Labour, and Nick Collingridge, speaking for the independents, said it had been “swept under the carpet.”

Tory council leader Peter Britcliffe said it was done to ensure market traders could ‘continue uninterrupted.’ * A thief is on the loose in Rossendale, where Tory candidate Jake Berry is blaming “a co-ordinated raid” for the loss of posters and signs.

Five posters, each 8ft wide, were taken down over a 48-hour period.

No fewer than 12 estate agent signs – including the one outside his own home – were also swiped.

“I went to bed on Saturday night and it was gone the next morning,” he fumed.

The police are investigating.

* For reasons that are not entirely clear, the Ribble Valley's Tory candidate Nigel Evans has sent me a photograph of his trainers.

I think he is demonstrating how much walking he has been doing on the campaign trail.

“They’re the wrong colour, but I’m not going to dye them blue,” he said.

* Hyndburn independent candidate Craig Hall will win £52,000 if elected after backing himself at 150/1.

He has pledged to donate any winnings from the £350 bet to the Help for Heroes charity.

* Jack Straw has enlisted the public support of Blackburn businesswoman Margo Grimshaw.

She stood against him in 1992.