FURIOUS Liberal leaders slammed Conservatives for failing to take 'a golden opportunity' to snatch control of Blackburn's hung council.

They accused Labour and Tory leaders of coming to a behind-closed-doors deal which ensured Labour control of the council for another 12 months.

The North was promised its own regional assembly by Neil Kinnock in his General Election bid to oust Mrs Thatcher from 10 Downing Street.

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