Labour wins Hyndburn and unseats Chorley opposition leader

Chorley CouncilImage source, Chorley Council
Image caption,

Labour easily retained control of Chorley Council

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Labour is celebrating success after winning Hyndburn, Lancashire, an authority that previously had no party in overall control.

The party has also easily retained control of Chorley Council, unseating the opposition Tory leader in the process.

Labour now has 39 of the Chorley's 42 councillors, external after picking up a couple of the 14 seats up for grabs.

The Conservatives now only have three representatives on the Lancashire town's council.

They lost their leader Alan Cullens, who was beaten by Labour's Irene Amahwe.

Labour wins Hyndburn

Meanwhile, West Lancashire Council remains in Labour control, with the party making one gain and the Our West Lancashire group making two.

Turnout was 30%.

Labour also retain control of Blackburn with Darwen Council, despite losing two seats.

The Independents overtake the Conservatives to become the borough's second-largest party after gaining four seats.

The Conservatives lost two seats in Ewood and Blackburn South and Lower Darwen wards.

Labour have won Hyndburn - which previously had no party in overall control - with 22 seats. The Conservatives have 11, while the Greens and Independents have one each.

The election saw veteran Conservative Peter Britcliffe lose his St Andrews ward seat after 40 years.

Lib Dems gain five seats in Preston

Image source, LDRS
Image caption,

Preston Lib Dems celebrating becoming Preston City Council's main opposition

Pendle Borough Council remains under no overall control.

In April, 20 Labour councillors resigned their Labour memberships in protest over the party's leadership.

Burnley also remains hung - but Labour has managed to retain control of Preston City Council.

The Liberal Democrats have become the main opposition party in Preston after gaining five seats.

The party took a seat from Labour in a shock result in Lea and Larches, which saw cabinet member for health and wellbeing and acting county council Labour opposition group leader, Jennifer Mein, lose her seat by just 13 votes after a recount.

Labour has also won 22 seats in Rossendale - giving it a safe majority on the borough council.

The results from West Lancs council is expected later on Friday.

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