THE Conservatives are confident of regaining control of Lancashire Council Council next month despite the uncertainties caused by Brexit and new ward boundaries.

Cllr Jennifer Mein, who leads the Labour-run authority, has admitted she cannot predict the results of the May 4 polls but promised ‘a local campaign on local issues’.

She hopes voters conclude that controversial cuts, including the closure of libraries and museums and removal of bus subsidies, are down to the Conservative government.

The Liberal Democrats hope long-serving county councillors Dorothy Lord and David Whipp’s records will help them hang on to the Pendle Central and Rural seats despite a string of defections to the Tories in Nelson.

In Burnley, the vote comes after a major row between former MP Gordon Birtwistle and former county chairman Cllr Margaret Brindle after she was not selected .

Cllr Brindle and husband Bill are standing as Independents in the borough’s Rural and South West divisions while the fall out may hit Mr Birtwistle’s chances in Burnley North East.

He said: “They will have little effect. We believe we can take seats in Burnley from Labour.”

Conservative group leader Cllr Geoff Driver said his party is targetting winning three seats off Labour in Rossendale and two in Hyndburn.

This includes Accrington North following the controversial deselection of senior Labour councillor Clare Pritchard.

He said: “We are fighting hard and hopeful of gaining back control after Labour’s four years appalling financial mismanagement.”

UKIP is targeting Hyndburn Tory veteran Cllr Peter Britcliffe in the redrawn Oswaldtwistle ward.

It also has its sights on Labour’s Cllr Marcus Johnstone in Burnley and Padiham West with borough councillor Alan Hosker hoping the county leisure boss’s problems over local library and youth centre reorganisation will boost his chances.

The Tories are confident they will keep their clean sweep in the Ribble Valley as are Labour of holding their four seats in Chorley.

Cllr Mein and Pendle Lib Dem Peer Tony Greaves have both warned a Tory win will 'only see more cuts'.