THE CONSERVATIVE Party retained control of Hyndburn Borough Council in last night's local elections.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday, 1 May, said it was the best present he could hope for.

He said: "It has been a wonderful night for us. We did not expect to gain a seat. We have held on to the two seats we were worried about - Netherton and Central - and gained Altham. It's an absolutely fantastic result for us. It's the best birthday present I could have hoped for."

A number of the council's well-known faces were up for re-election this year - including current mayor Tony Dobson, Labour leader Graham Jones, and councillors Peter Clarke, Harry Grayson, Lynn Wilson and Brian Walmsley.

As the votes came in once voting finished at 10pm, winners were announced ward by ward.

All councillors vying to retain their title of ward councillor were successful.

However, Labour lost one of their five seats up for grabs - in Altham where retiring councillor and former leader David Myles stepped down to concentrate on his university studies and teaching career.

Here Susan Haworth and Paula Landers went head-to-head in a fiercely contested battle and both were left on a knife edge as a recount was called.

Susan Haworth, of the Conservative Party won, with 653 votes - 59 more than Labour rival Paula Landers.

Susan Haworth said: "I feel wonderful. It was such a nail-biting finish because it was such a low turn out. I'm looking forward to taking up my new role as councillor."

Despite the narrow loss, Paula Landers remained upbeat, but said the loss reflected the public's opinion of the national government.

She said: "I am disappointed because it was a seat which Labour have retained for a number of years. The national government has not helped, especially with the 10p tax. I think they need to go back to grass roots and find out what local people want.

"I will stand again because i'm interested in helping the local community, and that's where the Government has lost sight of what's going on."

Speaking of Labour's overall results, leader Graham Jones said: "I'm quite pleased. The Conservatives have had a strong national win, but to win by 30 to 50 votes in a number of seats is the best they could do. The real heroes tonight are the Conservative voters who have switched to Labour throughout Hyndburn because they were concerned about how the council was being run."

The Conservative gain means the council now comprises of 19 Conservative, 13 Labour and three Liberal Democrat councillors.

In Church ward, Labour retained their seat as former councillor Jean Battle stepped down after 18 years as a local councillor to concentrate on her Lancashire County Council roles and responsibilities. Joan Smith was announced as the new councillor, with 592 votes to Simon Taylor's 442.

The largest turn out in votes was for Central ward with 56.97%, where three Asian candidates battled for the seat. All candidates received a large number of supporters - many of which attended the count at Hyndburn Sports Centre. Conservative candidate Allah Dad celebrated after being named the clear winner with 857 votes - 220 more than second place Tariq Ali from the Labour party.

There were no shocks in the Peel ward, the first results to be read on the night, as labour leader Graham Jones won with 584 votes.

Netherton Conservative councillor Lynn Wilson narrowly held on to her title - with 486 votes, compared to Labour's Robert Kearney with 429 and Independent's Ian Robinson with 397 votes.

In Barnfield ward, Conservative candidate Tony Dobson was the clear favourite with 819 votes - 558 more than Labour's Chris McCormack.

RESULTS:

Altham - 32.7% turnout
* Susan Haworth	Conservative	653
Paula Landers	Labour	594