THE public face of a controversial East Lancashire arts group is to challenge the leader of Hyndburn Council at the next local elections.

Gayle Knight, 41, works as the spokesman for Mid Pennine Arts -- the Burnley-based group behind the Panopticon project, a £1million scheme to build a statue in each borough of East Lancashire.

Mrs Knight has been selected as the Labour Party candidate for the St Andrew's ward in Oswaldtwistle, currently represented by Coun Peter Britcliffe.

Today Mrs Knight denied that her involvement with Mid Pennine Arts, which is currently attempting to get the green light for a piece of public art to be built in Hyndburn, would affect any future political career.

Officially she would have to declare an interest and be unable to vote in any council matters concerning the Panopticons -- a scheme which has so far been voted out of Hyndburn by councillors.

Mrs Knight, 41, also runs a public relations company, Mediatricks, which counts Heathland School and Hyndburn Women's Forum among its clients. She also belongs to a number of community groups including the Oswaldtwistle Players.

She said: "Peter has been there for years but maybe it's time for a change for a fresh new outlook for things. Now feels right for me to do this so hopefully it will all fall into place.

"People have asked me if I am doing this because of the Panopticons, but I will not be able to have a vote on any of these things. It would actually, in a way, be the reverse."

Coun Leslie Jackson, deputy leader of the Labour Group in Hyndburn, confirmed Mrs Knight had been chosen and the decision ratified by the general management committee of the constituency group last week.

She is now one of ten candidates so far chosen to stand in the next elections. Most are currently serving as councillors.

Coun Jackson said: "She is a very good candidate and a very capable person. I have worked with her before in the Women's Forum and Mid Pennine Arts.

"It's a tall order standing against Peter Britcliffe but she is a very capable person and I think she will do well."

Coun Britcliffe said: "I will not be letting personalities interfere with an election. I shall be fighting on my record as someone who has worked hard for Oswaldtwistle for 21 years and who will continue to do so."