LABOUR has clung on to control of Bury Council, despite the drama of a recount in the Redvales ward.

The Labour party's majority was cut to just two after last night's voting, with the Redvales ward still to be declared.

Results for that ward have not been officially returned because the number of votes logged in was 48 more than the total counted.

It was decided at 4am they should be counted again at noon on Friday and tallied up with the signed declarations.

Two Labour candidates appeared to have the most number of votes, but it is understood there is only a 36-vote difference between third-placed Tory candidate Khalid Hussain and Labour candidate Farook Chaudhry.

The current state ofthe parties, excluding Redvales, is that Labour has 25 seats, the Tories 18 and the Liberal Democrats 5.

Two high-profile casualties were Stella Smith, who was Labour's spokeswoman on the bin collection scheme and car parking, and former Mayor Paul Nesbit.

The percentage turnout for the borough was estimated at 49 per cent, the highest since 1991.

Community party gains ground

LABOUR lost ground in Wigan - one of its traditional heartlands.

The party lost 19 of the 60 seats it won last year.

The Community Action Party increased its number of seats to 18, up by 13 on last year.

The Tories came away with seven seats and and Liberal Democrats with nine, increases of four and five, respectively.

The first three candidates were elected in each ward and a selection of results is given here.

Labour keeps its stranglehold

IN Salford, Labour looks to have maintained its stranglehold on power, despite a recount in the Kersal ward today.

Before the recount, Labour lost 10 seats on the night - it now has 41 seats.

The Liberal Democrats won three seats, taking them to eight.

Conservatives also have eight seats - an increase of five.

The first three candidates were elected in each ward and a selection of results is given here.