LABOUR almost swept the board in Rossendale with just two Tory wins out of 12 seats up for grabs, leaving the Conservatives with just five members on the 36 seat council.

But no sooner had the ballot papers been counted than one newly elected representative announced he may have to resign.

Paulinus Barnes won the Cribden seat from sitting Tory councillor Duncan Ruddick and immediately announced that he could be off to the Vatican in Rome from June to work as a religious journalist for an American news agency.

Mr Barnes said: "It is a very difficult situation now that we have won, but the job offer was such that I couldn't really refuse it for my own family reasons and for my own career prospects."

The newly elected councillor said he would now be consulting Labour Party colleagues before making any firm decisions about his political future on Rossendale council.

But his announcement angered opponent Duncan Ruddick, who said: "I think it is disgraceful that somebody could stand for election when they know they have no intention of carrying the job through."

Mr Ruddick said he would be willing to stand again if a by-election was called.

Two newly elected Labour councillors joined their spouses as ward representatives.

Peter Hayler won the Hareholme ward from sitting Tory councillor Marie Law with a convincing 450 majority to join his Whitewell councillor wife, Jean. The jubilant couple said they were looking forward to the general election when they predicted landslide victories for Labour.

Pamela McManus joined husband John on the council after taking the Helmshore seat, making five couples who now represent various wards in Rossendale. Other Labour gains were at Facit and Shawforth, Greenfield and Irwell.

The current Mayor, Coun Alan Fishwick, held on to his Longholme seat.

Labour leader Richard Stuart hailed the successful count as "brilliant news".

He said: "The total dissatisfaction with John Major and the Government has been reflected in this result here tonight."

The leader said that a by-election caused by the possible resignation of Paulinus Barnes was probable, but he added that he expected his party to keep the Cribden seat.

Tory leader Coun John Holt said: "Obviously I am disappointed, but I am confident we will win the Rossendale and Darwen seat in the general election."

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