A THIRD recount is on the cards for the hotly-contested seat of Ramsbottom after an extraordinary poll.
Robert Hodkinson (Conservative) and Labour’s Joanne Columbine could not be separated in the contest for the Tory-held seat, on Bury Borough Council, after two counts.
Returning officer Mike Kelly suspended the count around 5am and the process will begin again at 1pm.
If Labour scoops the seat, formerly held by Ijaz Ahmed for the Tories, they will have 26 councillors and overall control of the authority.
In North Manor ward, which covers part of Ramsbottom and Summerseat, the Conservative’s Khalid Hussain was the runaway victor, polling 1,868 votes.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here