FATHER and son team Bryan and Neil Akrigg made it a night to remember with a double celebration for Labour in Pendle.

They scored a unique family connection in the borough by clinching Brierfield and Clover Hill for the party in last night's local elections. It is the first time, as far as anyone can remember, that there have been father and son councillors in the area.

The duo are used to working as a team - both are employed by the Burnley and Pendle bus company. Bryan, 47, is an inspector, and Neil is a driver.

Neil campaigned vigorously against the Liberals' sell-off of Pendle's half-share in the company to Stagecoach.

He said: "We're over the moon. We're very pleased with the results."

He joked: "At least we're both on the same side so we won't be having too much of a go at each other. I've been brought up to be politically involved and this is the result."

His proud dad added: "It's been a great night for both of us."

There was a double act of another sort in Earby by successful Liberal candidate Alison Brewer and her friend Cheryl Richardson.

"We look like sisters and people have been going up to Cheryl in the street and confusing her with me," said Alison, who clinched the seat from standing Tory candidate Rosemary Carroll in the closest vote of the night in the borough.

There were two recounts after a mix-up of ballot papers and the candidates had to wait an anxious 20 minutes before the result, the last of the evening, was announced just after midnight.

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