TORIES today pointed out that they are not the only party to make spelling mistakes in election leaflets.

The move follows the discovery of two blunders in a colourful fold-out brochure outlining the election pledges of Rossendale and Darwen parliamentary candidate George Lee.

Darwen was spelled like the Australian version, Darwin, and Hoddlesden was renamed Hoddleston.

It was blamed on a 'regrettable mistake' between the printers and proof readers.

Now, John Farrer, secretary to Peter Britcliffe, Conservative Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Hyndburn, has highlighted a similar mistake in a leaflet issued by Labour's Michael Hindley.

Baxenden has been listed as Baxendale in a section outlining extra funding given to local schools to reduce class sizes.

Mr Hindley, former Euro MP and Hyndburn council leader, from Great Harwood, is standing in the Lancashire County Council elections. He is representing the Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham ward.

"Any suggestion that slips of this kind show a disregard for voters is sheer nonsense," he said.

"It is inevitable that typographical errors will occur when leaflets are published centrally, like this one. It is not an indication that somebody doesn't care. That's why I have not got involved with any criticism of other parities and don't feel the need to apologise."