Lancashire's long suffering taxpayers once again look set to pick up the tab with the latest financial crisis within the County Council's accounts.

Its external auditors, Grant Thornton, won't sign off the accounts due to the emergence of a £50 million loan taken taken out in 2010 by the previous Conservative administration whose leader was and now is Cllr Geoff Driver. Grant Thornton are now seeking advice regarding the legitimacy of the council's actions and the accounts for the 2017/18 financial year cannot be approved until cleared by them.

The annual analysis of the council's accounts to establish if the finances are not only sound but legitimate within regulations has found it sadly wanting on both counts. They are described as at a 'tipping point' and 'unsustainable' and this situation may get worse due to the status of the £50 million loan, as the council may be facing heavy financial penalties at a time when they can least afford them.

Ormskirk's John Fillis, deputy Labour leader told QLocal: "It’s the people of Lancashire who will be footing the bill for this debt debacle, which has been created by a Conservative.

"The budget for 2018/19 was built on mounting debts, which the council are unable to pay back and the reserves are set to run out in 2020.

"They appear to be following their Conservative colleges in Northamptonshire Council. By bankrupting the council, destroying vital services that will inevitably cost local people millions of pounds more than they needed to pay. We will have to wait for their excuses and who they blame for their irresponsible actions.

"The good people of Lancashire have already had to pay out a massive 6% increase in council tax it is clear that they are going to have to pay out more for less vital services,” he concluded angrily.