CONTROL of Burnley Council is highly unlikely to shift from the Liberal Democrats.

The party has a nine-seat majority over Labour. But with the Lib Dems defending only eight seats, the party would have to face an election massacre to lose control.

And with the local group hoping to benefit from the party’s recent national boost and support apparently moving away from Labour, that seems highly unlikely.

Lib Dem council leader Gordon Birtwistle is fighting on two fronts, as well as trying to claim the Parliamentary seat, he is also defending his Coal Clough with Deerplay ward council seat.

Coun Birtwistle takes on Tory Paul Coates, Labour’s Alexander McLachlan and Christopher Vanns, for the BNP.

The Labour leader on the council, Julie Cooper, is also bidding to become the town’s MP, but her council seat is not up for election this year.

If either Coun Birtwistle or Coun Cooper takes up a seat in Westminster they will have to stand down from the council. If Coun Birtwistle becomes the town’s MP, the next leader of the council looks set to be between Coun Margaret Lishman, the deputy leader, and Coun Charlie Briggs, who leads the Lib Dems on the county council.

One seat in each of the borough’s 15 wards is up for election, with an extra seat in Queensgate following the death of Coun Bill Bennett.

That will be one of the most hotly contested wards, where Lib Dem strategist Coun Darren Reynolds will also defend his seat.

Former Labour county councillor Marcus Johnstone and Marion Smith will lead Labour's fight in the area, Arthur Coates stands for the Tories and John Rowe is the BNP candidate.

BALANCE OF POWER: Lib Dem 21, Lab 12, Con six, BNP four, ind one.

SEATS UP FOR GRABS: 15.

WILL IT CHANGE HANDS? Highly unlikely.

Briercliffe

Roger Barstow Frost, Liberal Democrat
Peter John Kenyon, Labour
Susan Margaret Nutter, Conservatives.

Lanehead

Alexander Harrison, Conservatives
Peter Rennie McCann, Liberal Democrat
Ann Royle, Labour.

Queensgate

Arthur David Coates, Conservatives
Marcus Johnstone, Labour
Jennifer Knowles, Liberal Democrat
Darren Steven Reynolds, Liberal Democrat
John Rowe, British National Party
Marion Hilda Smith, Labour.

Daneshouse with Stoneyholme

Shah Monwar Hussain, Labour
Tahir Nawaz, Liberal Democrat
Philip James Nutter, Conservatives.

Bank Hall

Gary Frayling, Labour
Mathew Isherwood, Conservatives
Naweed Manzur, Liberal Democrat.

Brunshaw

Allen Harris, Liberal Democrat
Tony Harrison, Labour
Carmé McDevitt, British National Party
Brent Lawrence Harry Whittam, Conservatives.

Cliviger with Worsthorne

Margaret Brindle, Liberal Democrat
David Neil Heginbotham, Conservatives
Samuel Thomas McLachlan, Labour.

Trinity

Ho Baker, Labour
Martyn Hurt, Liberal Democrat
Jack Picton, Conservatives
David Shapcott, British National Party.

Rosehill with Burnley Wood

Paul Fraser Campbell, Labour
Jeff Sumner, Liberal Democrat
David John Tierney, Conservatives
Kyle Jeffrey Winder, British National Party.

Coalclough with Deerplay

Gordon Birtwistle, Liberal Democrat
Paul Coates, Conservatives
Alexander Thomas McLachlan, Labour
Christopher John Vanns, British National Party.

Rosegrove with Lowerhouse

Barry John Elliott, Conservatives
Joanne Greenwood, Labour
Julie Elizabeth Johnson, Liberal Democrat
Paul Robinson, British National Party.

Whittlefield with Ightenhill

Barrie Christopher Bamford, Conservatives
Tyrell Lewis McGowan, Labour
Tom Porter, Liberal Democrat
Joan Shapcott, British National Party.

Gannow

Derek Dawson, British National Party
Stephen James Large, Labour
Neil Mottershead, Liberal Democrat
Barry Robinson, Conservatives.

Gawthorpe

Frank Cant, Labour
Philip James Clarke, Conservatives
Paul McDevitt, British National Party
Paula Christine Riley, Liberal Democrat.

Hapton with Park

Sandra Ann Byrne, Liberal Democrat
John Alfred Cave, British National Party
Jean Cunningham, Labour
Michelle Alison Lord, Conservatives.