LABOUR sealed its stranglehold on Nelson Town Council on Wednesday as councillors re-elected Councillor Zafar Ali as its chairman.

Following the local elections on May 2, the party now holds 21 out of the 24 seats having gained three at the expense of the Conservatives.

At the town council's annual meeting on Wednesday, Labour's Cllr Naz Hayat was re-elected as its vice-chairman.

Cllr Ali said: “I am honoured at being re-elected I, and all Labour councillors, make a promise to the people of Nelson that we will serve them to the best of our ability."

Newly-elected Whitefield representative Cllr Husnan Arshad, said: “As a young person I am looking forward to working with a diverse group of fellow councillors to improve our town.”