THE Conservatives lost overall control of Chorley Council as Labour made several gains at their expense.

Labour ganied four seats from the Tories and unseated the only Liberal Democrat, Mayoress Nora Ball, who is married to the current Mayor Ken Ball.

Among those beaten was leading Tory cabinet councillor Peter Malpas, who prior to the election, was in charge of the council's planning and economic development.

He was comfortably defeated by Labour's Pauline Phipps who polled 1,535 votes, with Peter Malpas trailing with 1,207.

Conservative leader Peter Goldsworthy, held on to his seat in Euxton South.

The Tories remain the biggest single party with 23 members, Labour have 20 with the Liberal Democrats and Independents having two each.

Other Labour gains were made in Chorley South East, Clayton and Whittle and Clayton-le-Woods North.

Leading Conservative councillor, Alan Cullens, who is expected to take over as deputy leader from the defeated Malpas, said: "It's been a bad night but we are still by far the biggest party in Chorley.

"We will take heed and continue our outstanding work in Chorley."

Labour leader Alistair Bradley said the night had proved 'sensational' for Labour.

He said: "To gain five seats is the most we could have hoped for.

"It shows the dissatisfaction with Tory cuts and is the result of hard work by the candidates.

"All our councillors will stand up for the people of Chorley."

The full results are below.

ADLINGTON AND ANDERTON

Lawrence E Catterall, Con 898
Glyn Hughes, Lib Dem 264
June Molyneaux, Lab 1418
Lab Hold.

ASTLEY AND BUCKSHAW

Ian Handley, Lab 599
Jeffrey Flinders Mallinson, UKIP 134
Mark Perks, Con 872
Con hold.

CHISNALL

Patricia Cuerden, Lib Dem 146
Danny Gee, Lab 607
Paul Leadbetter, Con 739
Con hold.

CHORLEY EAST

Tommy Shorrock, UKIP 164
Terry Brown, Lab 1381
Simon Parkinson, Con 276
Lab hold.

CHORLEY NORTH EAST

Marion Lowe, Lab 1280
Elliot Matthews, Con 653
Lab hold.

CHORLEY NORTH WEST

Peter Malpas, Con 1207
Pauline Mary Phipps, Lab 1535
Lab gain.

CHORLEY SOUTH EAST

Nigel Antony Valencourt Cecil, UKIP 137
Sam Chapman, Con 701
Chris Curtis, Ind 103
David Porter, Lib Dem 86
Paul James Walmsley, Lab 1056
Lab gain.

CHORLEY SOUTH WEST

Colin Grunstein, Lib Dem 193
Steve Holgate, Lab 1115
Bulvinder Michael, Con 487
Alan Richard Wallbank, UKIP 157
Lab hold.

CLAYTON-LE-WOODS AND WHITTLE-LE-WOODS

Greg Morgan, Con 1162
Glenda Charlesworth, Lib Dem 286
Hilda Freeman, UKIP 148
Frances Maguire, Lab 793
Con gain.

CLAYTON-LE-WOODS NORTH

Mike Devaney, Con 716
Stephen John Fenn, Lib Dem 161
Steve Murfitt, Lab 891
Mark Antony Rhodes, UKIP 213
Lab gain.

CLAYTON-LE-WOODS WEST AND CUERDEN

Judith Ann Boothman, Con 655
Paul Richard Freeman, UKIP 137
Dave Rogerson, Lab 801
Lab gain.

COPPULL

Matthew William Crow, Lab 1141
Nora Theresa Ball, Lib Dem 682
Sandra Mercer, Con 268
Lab gain.

ECCLESTON AND MAWDESLEY

Stan Ely, Lab 945
Kevin Joyce, Con 1247
Con hold.

EUXTON SOUTH

Peter Goldsworthy, Con 734
Denise Hogan, UKIP 130
Mark Andrew Jarnell, Lab 593
Con hold.

LOSTOCK

Doreen Dickinson, Con 699
John Charles Forrest, Ind 604
Michael James Gaskill, Lab 309
Con hold.