LABOUR hailed a 'fantastic night' after seizing control of Hyndburn Council from the Conservatives in the early hours of this morning.

With a turnout of 44 per cent, Labour saw its number of seats increase from 14 to 18 while the Tories’ dropped from 17 to 14.

Three Independents in Hyndburn were also elected.

The news was greeted by Labour leader Miles Parkinson as 'a great day for Hyndburn' who said the landslide was a reaction to coalition cuts nationally.

Following the election, Conservative leader Peter Britcliffe said they were leaving the borough 'in great shape'.

The borough's mayor, independent Malcolm Pritchard was among those who lost their seat to Labour.

He said: "There's more to life than politics".

In Rishton, newcomer Clare Cleary took control for Labour. She said: "It's an incredible start for me, I'm looking forward to doing some hard work now."

Conservative councillor Paul Barton lost Barnfield ward to Labour's June Harrison. He said: "It's the luck of the draw, we have done our best and worked really hard."

Former leader Coun Britcliffe said: “We have had a great run for eleven years and leave the borough in good shape.

"We will now focus on being the best opposition”.

Labour leader Miles Parkinson said: "It's a fantastic night.

"I think the voters are really ready for change and that is what they will get."

Altham

Miles Parkinson Labour 999
Paul Stephen Todd Conservative 520.

Barnfield

Paul John Barton Conservative 650
June Harrison Labour 756
Tony Hindley Independent 77.

Baxenden

David Hartley Labour 626
Kath Pratt Conservative 845.

Central

Bobby Anwar UK Independence Party 88
Mohammad Ayub Labour 1602
Razaq Hussain Conservative 54.

Church

John Broadley Labour 845
Mohammed Hussain Conservative 433.

Clayton le Moors

Nick Collingridge Independent 579
Chris Fisher Labour 575
Janet Storey Conservative 442.

Huncoat

Sam Cudworth Labour 215
Jean Hurn Conservative 345
David Parkins Independent 980.

Immanuel

Judith Helen Addison Conservative 878
John McCormack Labour 731.

Milnshaw

Paul Cox Labour 710
Roger Jepson Conservative 372
Malcolm Eric Pritchard Independent 460
Christian Paul Rayner Independent 23.

Overton

Roy Atkinson Conservative 740
David Mason Great Harwood Independents 500
Gareth Molineux Labour 988.

Rishton

Clare Cleary 1188
Stanley Horne Conservative 1077.

St Oswalds

Stewart Eaves Labour 946
Brian Roberts Conservative 1086.