CONSERVATIVES are spending more cash in wealthy Hyndburn areas, full of Tory voters, instead of more deprived Labour heartlands, furious rival councillors have claimed.

The Labour councillors' claim is based on area council capital grant allocations from the borough -- money to spend on long-term items like buildings, land, roads and major equipment.

Labour members say the money is not being shared out fairly across the borough.

In Great Harwood each voter gets £3.70 from the borough council, while each Accrington voter gets just over £1.

That is because Great Harwood Area Council has been earmarked £26,000 while Accrington Area Council has just £18,600.

The borough's Conservative leader Peter Britcliffe today strongly denied any wrongdoing. He has said poorer areas benefited from many other funds, including £11million of Government regeneration money through the new Elevate scheme. This year, Accrington Area Council will receive £18,600 for capital works; Baxenden £13,250; Church £13,500; Clayton-le-Moors £12,000, Great Harwood £26,000, Huncoat £13,150, Oswaldtwistle £17,600 and Rishton £13,900.

Smaller revenue grants, for running costs and community group grants, vary from £1,050 to £2,100 for Accrington.

Labour deputy leader Coun David Myles, who is also Clayton-le-Moors Area Council chairman, said: "Residents pay the same council tax, so they should get the same amount of money. We believe this is new arrangement is completely unfair. This is politics designed to make the Tories look good in the areas they want to. They are putting the money where there are votes."

He also blasted reduced revenue grants, saying Accrington Area Council received £26,000 last year compared to just £2,000 this year.

And Labour group leader Coun Jean Battle, who is deputy chairman of Church Area Council, dismissed the cabinet's creation of a central pot of £70,000 , earmarked for area council schemes it approves of.

"We will have to enter a beauty contest run by the cabinet. Of course, we'll put in bids -- but it will be interesting to see who gets it.

However, Tory group and Hyndburn Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said: "Once again, Labour councillors are desperately pursuing election goals and truth appears to be going out the window.

"It's true there have been cuts to area council revenue budgets and cuts throughout the council. However, it's worth remembering that Accrington is to get £11million of regeneration funding, so it's necessary to spend more in other areas and make allowances for that.

"The Conservatives are looking to devolve more decisions to area councils, such as parks management. And £10,000 has been given to two tree-pruning schemes in Barnfield and Milnshaw areas.

"Labour could have done this when they were office. We should take their comments with a pinch of salt."