LABOUR lost three councillors in Rossendale but gained one leaving them still the largest party in the borough.

Thursday’s local elections leaves the authority in no overall control though with 18 Labour councillors, the Conservatives 15 and three Independents.

Community First independent Janet Whitehead surprised everyone to win Facit and Shawforth ward.

Labour also lost Goodshaw ward where Tory David Foxcroft beat Christopher Hamer by 100 votes.

But the party picked up the vacant Stacksteads ward when Andy Macnae, beat Hazel Steen by 497 votes to 378.

Council leader Cllr Alyson Barnes said they intend to remain in charge. She said: “We did not do too badly when you look at the national picture.

“Thursday’s result was a vote of confidence in the excellent community councillors across Rossendale.

“I don’t think this was a bad result for the party in Rossendale. There are clearly questions around the national leadership that the party has to resolved.”

Conservative group leader Cllr Peter Steen said: “It was a disappointing result. We had hoped to do better. It was particularly personally disappointing that my wife Hazel failed to win Stacksteads.”

Expelled former Tories David Stansfield and Val Roberts failed to win their wards.