CONTROL of Hyndburn Council has remained in the hands of the Conservatives, who increased their majority over Labour from just one seat to four.

It was a night of mixed fortunes for both parties with the Tories gaining two seats from the opposition, but losing one in return.

In the shock result of the evening Labour lost its Clayton-le-Moors seat to Independent candidate Nick Collingridge, who was forced to step down as chairman of the town's neighbourhood management board after singing a racist song at a Christmas party.

The new councillor, who refused to comment on his victory, was cautioned by police after the incident last December.

Both the Tories and Labour were united in their disappointment at his victory.

Labour leader Councillor David Myles, said: "I am not looking forward to having him in the council chamber at all."

Tim O'Kane, who lost the seat to Collingridge after 10 years on the council, said he would be watching his successor carefully.

He said: "I want to see what sort of promises he is making and what benefits people in Clayton are going to get from having this party of one."

As well as losing Clayton-le-Moors, Labour also lost the two seats it won in by-elections last year Overton and Rishton.

In a closely-fought contest Claire Hamilton, who was the youngest councillor in Britain when she was elected in Rishton at the age of 21, lost to Jennet Liddle, 31, daughter of the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Janet Storey.

Coun Myles said the crises facing the party nationally were partly to blame for the losses.

He said: "We have fought hard here on local issues, but obviously the bad press Labour has had nationally has an impact.

"We were also defending eight seats this time, where the Conservatives were only defending three. It was a huge task."

In the Tories' only defeat of the night, former mayor Sandra Hayes lost her Immanuel ward seat to Labour's Colette McCormack.

Earlier in the night Mrs Hayes had been celebrating after being told she had won, but after three recounts victory was snatched away from her.

Despite this loss, council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe, who comfortably held onto his own seat in St Andrew's Ward, Oswaldtwistle, against competition from Labour's Gayle Knight, was jubilant.

He said: "I am sorry to lose Sandra Hayes. Politics can be cruel and we have seen it at its cruellest, but also at its best in these elections.

"I am delighted with the gains we have made in Rishton and Overton and pleased that we have increased our majority over Labour to four seats."