THE independents in Burnley are fielding a record nine candidates for next month's council elections and looking to take over from the Liberal Democrats as the official opposition group to Labour.

The group, with five sitting councillors - most of them defections from Labour - are defending seats in Lowerhouse, Queensgate and Rosehill.

Just over 12 months ago there was only one independent on the council: Harry Brooks, who is now group leader. He said: "The unprecedented number of candidates is great for local democracy. Voters can be sure that every Independent member will be guided by only three things - conscience, commonsense and the needs and interests of all the townspeople of Burnley," he added.

The Independent line up is: Bank Hall, Allan Jones; Brunshaw, Andrew Holder; Cliviger/Worsthorne, Kevin Robinson; Gawthorpe, Carol Stinton; Hapton/Park, Pat Jones; Lanehead, John Lloyd; Lowerhouse, Jack Alston; Queensgate, Pat Chadwick; Rosehill, Harry Brooks.

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