A ROW has broken out between the Conservative and Labour groups in Rossendale over a candidate's advice to voters.

The Labour Party has put up just one candidate in the Eden ward of today's local elections, despite two seats being up for grabs.

In his election leaflet, Bill Barnfield, the Labour candidate, has asked residents to register just one vote in the election for him rather than use their second vote for another party.

Tory leader Duncan Ruddick slammed the advice and said: "I think it's absolutely appalling.

"We already have very low turnouts in elections as it is and for one political party to be discouraging people from voting is outrageous."

But Labour party deputy leader Alyson Barnes hit back and said: "It's just something which is done if there's one from one party and two from the others.

"In this context it's not going to let the BNP in because they haven't got any candidates standing in that ward."