HARD-HITTING campaign leaflets by local Labour activists have angered rival councillors.

The party has attacked the ruling coalition of Conservative, Lib Dem and For Darwen, branding the parties’ leaders “the three guilty men” in a leaflet delivered in Higher Croft.

They have also accused the Tories of “doing anything to hang on” in the leaflets.

A Higher Croft resident, upset at the leaflet’s contents, accused Labour of “cheap gimmicks” and said: “It’s the same old Labour whinging and sour grapes.”

A separate leaflet, titled “you’ve been conned”, targeted Darwen residents and criticised For Darwen leader Tony Melia.

Last month For Darwen withdrew from the coalition in a row over Darwen Town Council but returned to the partnership shortly afterwards.

Lib Dem Sudell councillor Paul Browne said: “Labour are reeling because For Darwen have taken their councillors, so they put these leaflets out - but at the same time they were trying to do a deal with For Darwen to take control of this council.”

Coun Melia said Labour was trying to destabilise the council which is currently being inspected and claimed he had been “offered the world” to join Labour’s ranks.

But Labour leader Kate Hollern said: “We offered him nothing.”

Blackburn Labour Party chairman Damian Talbot said: “We use newsletters to keep residents informed, and like any party we put a political slant on them.

"We feel it’s important to get a debate going.”