Council defector causes uproar

However former Independent Coun Sam Holgate has been urged to resign by the opposition groups.

The Rosegrove representative, who won his seat in the 2003 election, said he was "encouraged to move allegiances by the positive work being done by the party in the town".

Coun Holgate said: "I was happy as an independent councillor because I didn't want to be involved in all the party politics.

"Action is more important than words. But the Lib Dems have been different. I wanted action, and that's what I got.

"So I decided to join them. Lib Dems have delivered on their promises and begun to make real improvements."

Coun Holgate said he was particularly impressed by the way the Lib Dems had lined up three teams of litter pickers, were issuing fines to fly-tippers and litter louts, and were visiting schools to teach children about keeping Burnley tidy.

He said the Lib Dems had stuck to their promises over the sites for new schools in Rossendale Road and in Towneley Park.

But Labour leader Coun Andy Tatchell said: "I express some surprise regarding this matter as the voters didn't vote for a Liberal when they put Sam Holgate into position.

"He has decided to change his political persuasion without consulting the electorate.

"The honourable thing would be to resign and stand again as a Liberal."

The move is another blow to the Labour Party which lost control of the borough to another party for the first time at this year's election.

The Lib Dems took power in a coalition with the Conservatives.

Council leader and former mayor Gordon Birtwistle said he was delighted to welcome Coun Holgate to the group.

He said: "I'm only interested in having councillors on our team that are prepared to work hard for their wards."

The move takes the total number of Lib Dem councillors to 17, compared to Labour's 16.

This means that Labour continues to have some responsibilities on the council, putting a brake on what the Lib Dems are able to do.