PENDLE MP Andrew Stephenson has hit back at criticisms over his decision to take his Brierfield surgeries out of the local community centre.

Ward councillor Mohammad Hanif said the MP's decision to move out of the centre - which was saved from closure after ownership was transferred to the town council - was 'disappointing'.

But the Conservative MP has accused Labour's Coun Hanif of putting party politics ahead of the people of Brierfield and said he had switched the surgeries to the local library because it was cheaper.

Coun Hanif said: "For more than 15 years, Pendle MPs of both main parties have used the centre for their surgeries, so why has Mr Stephenson done this now?

"I have asked Mr Stephenson if he would give reasons for his decision. No response has yet been received.

"The Conservative led Pendle Council in June announced the closure of Brierfield Town Hall and possibly Brierfield Community Centre.

"To make sure Brierfield keeps the town centre open, Brierfield Town Council agreed to take over both the town hall and the community centre, which are making a considerable annual loss.

"The handover of the buildings was from October 1.

"Within a few weeks of the handover, Mr Stephenson has stopped using the community centre.

"It is therefore a bit of a slap in the face to lose even this small income from our current MP.”

But Mr Stephenson said: "It is regrettable that Coun Hanif once again puts party politics ahead of the people of Brierfield.

"Pendle Council has recently transferred a number of community centres and halls to town and parish council or other organisations, for nominal sums of money. None have closed.

"While some of the new owners of these buildings have actually reduced rates for some groups, Brierfield Town Council seems intent on forcing community groups out of the two venues they have taken over.

"This has included forcing out vulnerable user groups like pensioners groups who have used the centres for decades.

"In my case, Brierfield Town Council decided to double the rate I would have to pay and charge me £295 a year to use the centre to provide my advice surgeries to the public.

"To put that in context, £295 is more than I pay for the use of the six other venues I use combined (Barrowford Holmefield House, Barnoldswick Civic Hall, Colne Library, Earby Parish Rooms, Nelson Library, Trawden Community Centre).

"It is very sad that Brierfield is being so poorly served by Coun Hanif."