A Lancashire council’s plans to twin with a West Bank town have collapsed after residents voiced overwhelming objections.

Pendle Borough Council had agreed to link up with Beit Lid in a show of solidarity against “Israeli attacks”.

Labour mayor Asjad Mahmood’s casting vote had given the twinning the go-ahead last December.

But councillors have now been told that the twinning will not happen.

Council leader Joe Cooney told a March 21 meeting that more people had contacted him about the proposed twinning than any other issue the authority has dealt with.

The majority of residents were opposed to the link, he said.

Pendle Twinning Association, which oversees agreements with other towns, also said the plan was outside its remit.