A DISPUTE between two MPs over a council ward neither of them wants is set to be resolved at a public inquiry.

Blackburn's Jack Straw and Darwen and Rossendale's Janet Anderson are going head to head in a debate over Fernhurst, on the boundary of the two towns.

The Boundary Commission has re-drawn council wards and parliamentary seats and said Fernhurst should be included in Mr Straw's constituency.

The new ward would take in parts of Ewood, Higher Croft and Lower Darwen and has been proposed because the Commission wants to increase the number of parliamentary seats in Lancashire from 15 to 16, with an average of just over 67,000 voters in each.

Mrs Anderson has made it clear she would like to see Fernhurst, which would have 4,000 voters, stay within the Blackburn parliamentary constituency, but the Foreign Secretary believes it should be shifted into the Darwen boundary.

Mrs Anderson claims people living there have an affinity with Blackburn. But the Foreign Secretary has written to his local Labour group urging them to reject the idea because, he said, it will make his constituency too big.

A public inquiry headed by an independent barrister into the new Lancashire boundaries will now be held in January, after more than 100 residents objected to the proposed changes and both MPs have already sent representations.

Mr Straw said statements had been made to the Boundary Commission on his behalf about Fernhurst and added: "It is the appropriate course of action because there is a balance of views that need to be considered." Mrs Anderson said Rossendale Borough Council and Blackburn Labour Group had made representations that the ward be in Blackburn constituency.

She added: "I am very glad there is going to be an inquiry so everyone can put their points of view."

Both Labour MPs have been accused of trying to get rid of a ward which is full of potential Tory voters. Conservative associations in Blackburn and Darwen said they would welcome Fernhurst in either constituency.

Mr Straw even wrote to his local Labour group asking them to back his plan.

In a letter to local Labour Party members he advised against keeping the ward and urged his supporters to "consider the politics of the situation."

If Fernhurst was to form part of the Rossendale and Darwen seat at the General Election after next, it would mean Blackburn Rovers Football Club, of whom Mr Straw is a fan and honorary vice-president, leaving Blackburn.