CHORLEY MP Lindsay Hoyle has renewed his campaign to stop the Forensic Science Service being sold off the private sector.

He tackled Home Office Minister Caroline Flint on the issue this week.

One of the service's laboratories is situated in Chorley and Labour MP Mr Hoyle told the minister in the Commons: "You are well aware that we have one of the leading forensic services in the fight against crime and that we sell knowledge and solve crimes across the world for other police forces.

"Please, please do not put at risk an essential service that is independent and not answerable to shareholders.

"If selling off a service is pursued, we will know that crime is not the first priority - the shareholders will come first. The service is a 24/7 operation that we should not put at risk.

"While we lead the world, let us not give it up easily."

Mr Hoyle has been a leading campaigner against the sell off which provoked a one-day strike by staff recently.

Mrs Flint told Mr Hoyle: "I assure you that we will continue to have the public interest at the heart of whatever we endeavour to do."