A TOWN council for Darwen would attract investment and boost business in the town, says the president of the new Chamber of Trade.

Andrew McAllister said he believed if there was a separate a town council chain stores would see Darwen as a stronger case for investment which in turn would boost trade at existent businesses by attracting more shoppers.

He said because the borough was Blackburn with Darwen, businesses would always look to invest in Blackburn before Darwen.

Mr McAllister said: "I think if it was a totally separate town with a separate town council trade would be a lot better. At the moment if businesses are looking to invest it's Blackburn with Darwen and obviously it's Blackburn they see first.

"I think Darwen is seen as a strong town but if it were independent it would be seen as a much stronger investment."

MP Janet Anderson has backed the idea and written to Blackburn with Darwen Council chief Graham Burgess, asking for a referendum giving people in Darwen a chance to vote on the issue.

Mrs Anderson has asked for a community governance review to establish how it could be achieved under The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill which is currently before Parliament.

The bill gives the power to a main authority, such as Blackburn with Darwen to canvass the views of residents on such a proposal.

And the For Darwen party started a petition to get a town council for Darwen just over three months ago at the launch of the party. Already over 2,000 signatures have been collected without any canvassing from petitions left in shops around Darwen.

Mr McAllister said: "We all know scouts from the big chain stores are always out and looking to invest in a town that has money being invested in it and we are having money spent but I think if it was controlled by Darwen then businesses would have more confidence and come here."

The Chamber of Trade is being launched on Thursday at 7pm at Frankie's Bar in Church Street. All Darwen businesses are invited.