THE chairman of Rossendale's Conservatives has resigned.

Tory stalwart Clive Balchin has decided to stand down as chairman of Rossendale and Darwen Conservative Association after a year in the post.

He joined the association six years ago.

Mr Balchin said: "It came to the point where I had become a political anorak, thinking about politics rather than work, and that's not acceptable, work has to come first.

The father-of-two said: "It was also unfair on my family.

"I'd become almost a full-time politican and was hardly ever at home."

Mr Balchin will also be leaving the Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a former president and has been an active member for the past six years also.

"I will be keeping a low profile for a while, although I will not disappear altogether.

"My style of politics - which is being outspoken and to the point - is not what works these days. It's all about spin.

"So I'm going into the political wilderness, but I might be back if saying what you think comes back into fashion.

"I will still be keeping in with things, but resigning from the chair means I can speak completely freely, which is how it should be."

When Mr Balchim was elected in May last year he vowed to brighten up politics.

He said his mission was not to fight the Labour Party but to combat apathy.

The new chairman will be elected at the association's annual meeting on Thursday.