LOSING just a handful of seats saw Labour overall control of Burnley Council.

Labour group leader Mark Townsend was successful in contesting his Brunshaw seat against Green candidate Janet Hall as well as Tory Ellen Sunter and National Front’s Steven Smith.

But elsewhere in the borough, things were not so rosy for the party.

They lost control by ceding five seats, while the Green Party successfully managed to get a second councillor elected as Sarah Hall won in Trinity.

Her victory followed party colleague Gareth Fewings, who last year became Burnley’s first every Green councillor.

In total, more than 60 candidates fought for just 15 seats in the council’s elections.

Overall there are 45 seats on Burnley Council and Labour fell from 27 councillors to 22.

The Liberal Democrats have eight representatives while the Tories hold four seats. Ukip has three councillors.

There are five Burnley and Padiham Independent Party councillors and one independent member.

Lib Dem leader and former leader Gordon Birtwistle said: “It was good day for the Lib Dems and opposition parties and a terrible one for Labour.”

The council is now under no overall control and discussions will be held behind the scenes to form a ruling coalition.