The Green Party in Hyndburn looks set to wield a disproportionate amount of power in relation to its councillor numbers by 'informally supporting' the borough's Tory group.

Group leader Councillor Paddy Short has poured cold water on claims earlier today by the Conservative group that a pact between the parties had been agreed to seize control of Hyndburn Council.

The borough was left in no overall control after last week's election after Labour turfed out it's ex-members who ran as Independents to reclaim four seats, but lost one in a shock result to the Tories.

The result left the Tories and Labour with 16 members a piece, two short of a majority.

Earlier today, Conservative group leader Cllr Marlene Haworth said a pact had been formed with the Greens and the one remaining independent councillor Joyce Plummer.

Greens Cllr Short and Cllr Caroline Montague both quit Labour last year and defected to the Greens, while Cllr Plummer was suspended by Labour after joining a 'rainbow cabinet' led by ex-Labour leader Miles Parkinson, who was turfed out in Thursday's poll.

At the annual meeting of the council on Thursday, May 18, Cllr Howarth believes the support of Cllr Plummer will be enough for her to become leader of the borough authority.

Hyndburn's two Green councillors will abstain in a vote next week, it is believed.

Initially Cllr Haworth believed all three had agreed to back her and the Conservatives to take control at the Annual General Meeting on Thursday next week.

She had been deputy leader of a partnership administration led by Cllr Parkinson after he quit Labour.

But Green group leader Cllr Short has said: "Hyndburn Green Party has been in talks with both local Labour and Conservative Parties.

"After these talks we have been in contact with our local party members.

"This has resulted in a decision that unfortunately we have not found enough common ground to form a formal pact with either party and will not be voting for either leader in the forthcoming council AGM.

"We notified both party leaders of this decision. Further to this the leader of Hyndburn Conservatives reached out to us on the possibility of working together informally on matters that can benefit Hyndburn and it's local residents. We have agreed to do so.

"We believe it is disappointing that Hyndburn Labour have had no further contact."

Cllr Plummer said: "I spoke to both group leaders. For personal reasons I will undoubtedly support Cllr Haworth for leader of the council."

Cllr Haworth said: "We have spoken to the two Green Party councillors and the Independent councillor Joyce Plummer.

"Cllr Plummer is happy to support me as the new leader of the council which will be ratified by the annual meeting on May 18 which is enough for me to become leader and us to take control of the council.

"The Greens will abstain and have promised to work with us and support our programme.

"I believe this agreement will bring stability to the council and the borough."

Labour group leader Cllr Munsif Dad said: "The Labour Group will continue to work for the betterment of residents in Hyndburn.

"We set this agenda clearly in the recent elections with success.

"The Green councillors and the independent councillor stood as Labour candidates, got elected asking Labour voters to support them as Labour councillors.

"Hyndburn Labour has rebuilt with a brilliant transformational agenda, winning seats and votes.

"We will now be an effective opposition.

"This is a sad day for democracy in Hyndburn."