DARWEN does no better or worse than any other area of the borough when it comes to funding new projects, it was claimed today.

That is the main finding of an internal probe launched by Blackburn with Darwen Council after a petition calling for independence for Darwen was received.

The 500-signature petition, organised by Darwen man Roy Davies, called for independence and claimed the town had become the poor relation of Blackburn.

He claimed multi-million pound developments were being announced for Blackburn every week, while Darwen got little.

He also cited recent successes in Accrington -- which has a similar population to Darwen -- where a new cinema, bowling alley and market have been built.

The petition, received in December, prompted a council inquiry into how much was being spent per head of the population.

A report to the council's executive board stated: "In terms of proportionate spending, Darwen, with a population of 28,500, out of the borough's total population of around 138,000, would appear to do no better or worse than areas of Blackburn, given the number of projects completed recently or under way at present." Examples of investment and council-promoted regeneration in Darwen included the India Mill refurbishment which has led to 500 jobs being created by the council's private business partner, Capita.

The council also brought Sainsbury's to the the town, while the Darwen Sure Start scheme has resulted in massive improvements to services available to parents with young children.

A £11million health centre is planned as well as retail developments in School Street. Darwen Library Theatre has been refurbished, while improvements have been made to council services at Darwen Town Hall.

The council has secured funding to make Darwen Railway Station more secure, while it played a part in the creation of the new service station at Junction 4 of the M65.

Councillors agreed to note the concerns of petitioners, but pointed out that independence would not benefit the town so it was not being pursued.

In coming monthsthre will be from improvements to Darwen Market, a new Darwen Town Centre Strategy, a study on how to improve the A666 and the Government-funded housing market renewal.