LABOUR comfortably kept control of Rossendale Council despite a scare for borough leader Alyson Barnes.

The Conservatives came within 39 votes of ousting her from her Goodshaw ward.

Despite reducing Labour’s majorities in several wards they only managed to snatch Irwell from the controlling party where Denis Kostyan beat Michelle Smith by 45 votes.

Community First candidate Alan Neal held Healey and Whitworth as the balance of power changed 22 Labour councillors to 13 Conservatives to 21 Labour and 14 Tories.

Conservative group leader Annabel Shipley said: “We made steady progress but are disappointed not to win more of our target wards.”

Cllr Barnes said: "I am delighted."