Borough elections

LABOUR increased its hold on Blackburn Town Hall after only one seat changed hands -- but the borough's opposition groups today pledged to fight back.

The Conservatives lost to veteran Labour man David Harling in Corporation Park as 21 seats, a third of the council, went up for grabs.

Labour now has 37 seats, against the Conservative's 19 and the Lib Dem's six.

But that chamber will be decidedley quieter after two candidates who stood as independents after being deselected by their relevant parties lost.

Edna Arnold -- who stood in Livesey and Pleasington after being deselected by the Conservative group who she had represented for 28 years -- came third, behind the Conservative candidate and former right-winger Derek Hardman and Lib Dem Jessie Hickmott.

Mrs Arnold, a former mayor, polled just 811 votes but was not inside King George's Hall when the result was announced.

And long-standing former Labour mayor Peter Greenwood was today adjusting to life outside politics after failing to keep his seat in Audley, which he had decided to fight for as an independent after being dumped by the Labour group.

He came third out of four, polling 493 votes in a count which was won Labour man Tahir Mahmood.

Coun Malcolm Doherty, leader of the council, was re-elected to his Mill Hill seat. He said: "I am delighted we are the only party to have made a gain and I am delighted to welcome back David Harling on to the council.

"I am proud to represent Mill Hill and am also proud that people have been good enough to vote for me. I have always made sure I could feel confident about my actions when I stand for re-election every four years."

But Coun Paul Browne, the Lib Dem leader, whose wife Ruth Browne failed to win North Turton with Tockholes, warned the Labour group their time in charge was soon to end.

He said: "This result is a fluke, a blip and nothing more. People have turned out and voted for the same people as they voted for nationally whereas they normally look at local issues.

"Next year will be different, we will fight a different campaign and we will make progress but for now, I am as sick as a parrot."

Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Conservative group and winner of the North Turton with Tockholes seat, said: "We are disappointed to have lost a seat as we expected to make gains."