BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has called for a full investigation into the borough’s gritting strategy after saying residents 'deserved better'.

He said in his 30 years as a Blackburn MP he could not recall a time when people 'have been more frustrated' over gritting.

Mr Straw said: “I have always worked hard to support the borough council, regardless of who's in control, and very rarely criticise it. But I do need to speak out now.

"In the 30 plus years I've been MP for Blackburn I can hardly recall a time when people have been more frustrated than they have been in recent days over gritting - or rather the lack of it.

“And I cannot remember a time when spontaneous anger with a council's leadership has been greater.”

Mr Straw said that he believed the council’s efforts were 'below the standards of comparable authorities'.

“Yes, there are plenty of hills in the borough,” he said, “but we're not the only towns with hills. Few others have left their key areas especially for pedestrians in the way they were left in our area.

“Although it can only be anecdotal at this stage the strong impression I have had in travelling in the last week across the North West and Yorkshire is that other areas have managed better.

“More importantly this is the view of people who can take a more professional view than me.

"there must then be a full investigation into the whole strategy, or lack of it, ordering and stocks of salt, priorities for gritting and use of volunteers in emergencies. Blackburn and Darwen deserve better."