HYNDBURN Council is fighting proposed changes to electoral boundaries which would put parts of Oswaldtwistle into Accrington.

The local authority is opposing amendments to the electoral division of Accrington North, claiming such changes would "adversely affect the sense of community".

The council's plans and environment officer Paul Worswick has written to the Boundary Committee to oppose the proposals, which are part of a periodic electoral review of Lancashire County Council's electoral division. He has also put forward changes suggested by the council.

The Boundary Committee wants to include parts of Church and Oswaldtwistle and also an area around Rhyddings Park within Accrington Central division.

But Hyndburn Council believes taking parts of Oswaldtwistle and putting them in Accrington would lead to people in Church and Immanuel wards losing their sense of community.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe has said those responsible for the proposed changes "must be living in fairy land".

He said: "We are in joint agreement with the the Labour Party and have put forward plans to make changes from their proposals.

"The Boundary Committee propose to take a part of Oswaldtwistle and put it in with Central. This goes completely against the natural boundaries of the area."

Mr Worswick added: "The Boundary Committee are consulting again to sort out the electoral boundaries before a referendum on a North West regional assembly."

To "maintain community cohesion" the council suggests that Accrington Central ward should be altered to:

Include the northern part Milnshaw ward.

Only include that part of the borough ward of Church which lies to the south east of Henry Street and Blackburn Road.

Maintain the existing boundary between Oswaldtwistle and Accrington Central.

Include former Lower Antley reservoir site (currently within Oswaldtwistle) within Accrington Central.

Include the Bedlam and Green Haworth area of Accrington Central ward within Oswaldtwistle.

The council has also said that the clough between Fern Gore and Broadfield forms a natural physical boundary and the residents of Broadfield associate with Oswaldtwistle rather than Accrington.