THE Conservative Party tightened its grip on power at Hyndburn Council as Labour suffered an anti-war backlash in an Accrington town centre ward.

Tory leader Peter Britcliffe put his party's success in the Central ward -- the only one to change hands last night -- down to hard campaigning.

But new Conservative councillor Allah Dad said he believed it was more to do with a protest vote against the war in Iraq.

On a night of few shocks in Hyndburn -- perhaps the biggest being that turnout was down despite the postal vote -- counting only got under way just before midnight after several glitches in the all-postal voting system.

A computer breakdown at the council, coupled with a last minute delivery of 'several thousand' votes held up counters and the last results only came in at around 2.30am.

Officers discovered hundreds of votes for the St Andrew's ward had got mixed up with votes cast in other wards.

Allah Dad took the Central ward from sitting Labour councillor Sardar Ali, prompting cheers from the public gallery. His supporters threw tinsel around his neck before lifting him onto their shoulders and parading him down a corridor.

Coun Dad said: "I would like to praise the team who have campaigned with me. I think there is an anti-war backlash in this ward, but it is important to remember that the Conservatives also supported the war. Perhaps people have forgotten that."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "Labour has suffered nationally because of its policies, but I think the way we have openly tackled the financial problems we have had has won over people."

Labour leader Jean Battle -- who kept her Church ward seat -- said: "I think this vote has been a non-event, and I think people have kicked us because the national media has associated Tony Blair with the war in Iraq.

"In last year's postal vote, we had drop-off points around the borough for votes but not this year. I think that has affected turnout."

Turnout fell from from 51.47per cent to 43.75per cent, which is still above the final year of 'traditional' voting, which saw a turnout of 36per cent.

Independent Matthew Hartley, who stood in Church on an anti-Labour ticket against Coun Battle, polled 265 votes.

Green Party candidate Ian Dixon returned to the Barnfield ward for the second year running, beating Labour into third, but behind returning councillor Tony Dobson.

There was some good news for Labour though. Coun Malcolm Pritchard, who left to be independent, has returned to the party. Labour now has 16 seats to the Tories' 19.