HYNDBURN Council has been accused of playing Scrooge after it was announced monies saved by area councils would be taken back.

Chairmen of the council's eight area councils have agreed to hand back their unspent funds, saving the council up to £60,000.

The move comes as the council struggles to plug a £1.8million hole in the its finances.

Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham, Church, Huncoat, Baxenden, Rishton and Great Harwood, all have their own area council with a budget for carrying out projects in the area.

This year a total of £90,090 was allocated to the councils, with Accrington getting the lion's share of £26,190.

The smallest amount - £4,950 - went to Huncoat but because of monies rolled over from previous years the village stands to lose £20,000.

Brendan Shiels, chairman of Huncoat Area Council, said his council stood to lose more per head of population than any other council.

"I realise this is a serious situation but at the end of the day Peter Britcliffe makes a good Scrooge. Perhaps the ghost of Christmas past is coming back to haunt him."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe, who is also chairman of Oswaldtwistle Area Council, said: "I don't think the public will notice any difference."