LABOUR snatched control of Hyndburn Council by a single seat after a nailbiting night which saw the ruling Tories thrown out by a handful of votes.

The final result to be announced, just after midnight, gave Labour an 18-17 victory in a cliffhanger finish. The Conservatives had enjoyed a majority of 11.

The main casualty was mayor-elect Derek Scholes, who failed to win in Barnfield.

Boundary changes meant the number of councillors who will move into Accrington town hall was cut from 47 to 35.

An elated Coun Ian Ormerod, the Labour leader who took Milnshaw ward, said: "I'm absolutely delighted . . . lost for words.

"We've had three years in the wilderness, but the people have given their verdict on the Tories, and seen through them introducing one of the lowest council tax rises in the country. You only have to look at the state of the housing in Hyndburn. It's in a desperate state."

Defeated Tory leader Coun Peter Britcliffe, who held St Andrew's ward, said: "It's a stunning result for us, but we'll fight back - starting tomorrow.

"I'm very proud of our achievements."

Hyndburn's Labour MP Greg Pope added: "It's an exceptional result for Labour, and a huge vote of confidence in the fifth year of a Labour government.

"To take control like this is a huge tribute to our candidates."

The timetable to the narrow Labour victory went:

10.45pm - Conservatives lead by 14-11. Coun Britcliffe: "It still too close to call."

11.35pm - The two parties are neck and neck at 16-16. Coun Ormerod: "The Tories have taken Rishton. It could cost us."

12.15am - 40 nerve-wracking minutes later Labour's Sadar Ali takes Central ward to clinch victory with the last result to be declared. Councillor Ormerod: "My heart's going like the clappers."

Labour supporters whooped with delight as they realised they had clawed their way back to take control of the Accrington council chamber - albeit by a whisker.

At the last election the Conservatives had gained eight seats on what was a devastating night for the Left.

Coun Britcliffe said: "I haven't had time to analyse what went wrong yet. But you have to remember that Hyndburn is a traditional Labour seat at the general election and I think we have done extremely well to have been in control.

"I have been in political life for a long time and you have to get used to the downs as well as the ups. But we will be back - and in the meantime we will be keeping a very careful eye on what Labour gets up to.

He added: "It's been an incredible night and there are very few votes in it. I am proud of our achievements. We have done our best."

Coun Ormerod said: "We are delighted to be back in control.

"The first thing you will see is cleaner streets. The Tories have pumped plenty of money in, but it's all been in the town centre."

Coun Britcliffe said Accrington's new Viaduct cinema and bowl complex, which is due to open in July, would be a testament to his party's time in power, helping to regenerate the town.

"We've made lots of good things happen," he added.

But Coun Ormerod said: "The people of Hyndburn have given their verdict on the Tories over the last three years."

Lab: 18

Con: 17

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