TWO options for a Darwen town council are being considered, it has been revealed.

Thousands of people have signed petitions calling for the move and a town council is a key aim of the Lancashire Telegraph's We're Backing Darwen campaign which aims to help revitalise the town.

Now council bosses are considering two alternatives submitted to them by For Darwen party leader Tony Melia.

One would see the introduction of a Darwen mayor and an additional eight councillors who would be elected and just serve on the town council.

The cost to a taxpayer would be around £1.50 a month.

The other option would not cause any additional cost to council tax bills and would see the Blackburn with Darwen deputy mayor post scrapped in favour of a Darwen mayor.

Darwen councillors would then stand as town council representatives as well, if they wanted to.

Council chief executive Graham Burgess and his team are currently investigating whether either models would feasible.

Coun Melia said the decision was expected to be made after the election.

He said: "We are waiting on the results from the legal aspect of both models.

"I would love to fight the election on the grounds we would get a town council. But because no decision will be made until after the May elections it would be foolish for us to do this.

"The second model involves no additional cost because the councillors are already standing and it would involve a little more work for them.

"But we are checking them legally and we are waiting for the cost of the first model."

A new council would allow people to have a bigger say on by-laws and planning issues through locally-elected councillors and also act as a major forum and lobbying organisation .