A COUNCILLOR has resigned as a director of housing landlord Twin Valley Homes, after an outburst over its record on evicting trouble tenants.

Coun Charles Mills, who represents the Shadsworth ward, Blackburn, for the Liberal Democrats, claimed he had been 'gagged' over the case of tenant Linda Holden -- evicted for having an untidy garden.

Today, Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said it was 'ludicrous' Coun Mills felt obliged to resign and said that, as a tenant, he was the perfect man for the job.

Twin Valley Homes today confirmed Coun Mills had resigned after being invited to a meeting to discuss his comments, which appeared to be incompatible with his role as a director

In November last year, Coun Mills said the housing company, which took over the council's housing stock of 10,000 homes in April 2001, should concentrate on evicting real trouble-makers rather than those with untidy gardens.

Coun Mills said: "It is unfortunate that I find myself in the position that if I remain as a director of Twin Valley Homes, it will conflict with my duties as an elected member of the council.

"When people are still suffering from neighbourhood nuisance, to go after people who cannot look after their gardens is wrong. As my primary duty is to the electorate, I cannot agree to be gagged.

"After much thought, I concluded that I must put the welfare of the electorate first and should tender my resignation."

The board of directors is made up of six tenants, six independent 'lay' people and six councillors.

Loraine Campbell, chair of the board of Twin Valley Homes, said: "The board executive wrote to Coun Mills twice, inviting him to meet and discuss his public statements, which appeared to be incompatible with his role as a non-executive director.

"Councillor Mills did not attend either meeting and has not been in touch with any board member.

"He has since sent a letter of resignation.

"The council is responsible for appointing or replacing its representatives to the board of Twin Valley Homes and we now await their nominated replacement.

"The council continues to be represented on the board by its five other nominees."

Three other councillors on the board, Coun Dave Hollings (Lab), Coun Eileen Entwistle (Lab) and Coun David Fenton (Cons), said that they had not experienced any problems with bringing issues to the attention of Twin Valley Homes in their capacity as councillors.

The two remaining councillors, Tahir Mahmood (Lab) and Steve Greenwood (Lab), were unavailable for comment.