POLITICAL parties in council chambers across Lancashire are busy appointing new leaders and officials in the wake of the elections.

The shake-up of councillors follows voting in the county council and Blackburn with Darwen elections and Blackburn's move away from County Hall control .

The changes at Blackburn Town Hall also mean political groups have been busy choosing new chairmen, vice-chairmen and party officers.

The ruling Labour group on Blackburn with Darwen Council met on Thursday night to select its leadership team. They also appointed chairmen and deputies for the 29 new committees and sub-committees for the shadow council.

Malcom Doherty, leader of the party for the last three years, said: "The Labour Party in Blackburn and Darwen has been very busy since the elections finished.

"There is a whole new committee structure and our new councillors have had to go on induction courses.

"As a party we tend to do things in a friendly way and people best suited to the job have been appointed."

Mr Doherty will take control of the all-powerful policy and resources committee while his deputy Gail Barton has been put in charge of finance. Former housing chairman Sue Reid will chair social services and party agent Bill Taylor takes charge of education.

Blackburn Tories have chosen their new leadership team following the shock resignation of leader Ian Forrest in the run-up to the elections.

Jim Hirst will now lead the main opposition group with the help of deputies John Williams and Fred Slater.

The retired businessman said: "The leadership is a full-time job. I will have to come to the town hall every day for briefings with officers and my fellow councillors."

The Liberal Democrat group at Lancashire County Council has also appointed a new leader following the defeat of Anne Smith.

The 12-strong group will now be led by Preston North councillor Alan Hackett, the former deputy leader.

He said: "Obviously I am very sad to be taking over as group leader in circumstances which have caused us to lose our long serving and well-respected leader.

"Our immediate aim is to retain our high profile as a united opposition with clear aims and policies.

"We will present these policies at every opportunity and pay close attention to the performance of Labour, not just at county level but in Government."

Labour has already appointed John West leader and Frank McKenna deputy following the resignation of Louise Ellman.

The Conservatives are set to follow suit following the election defeat of Pat Case

The County Council Tories will meet tomorrow to decide their new leadership team.

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