HUSBAND and wife team Paul and Loraine Cox illustrate the state of Hyndburn politics after Thursday's local elections - split in the middle down party lines.

Despite Labour making three gains in wards formerly held by Independents they lost a key seat to the Tories leaving the two main parties on 16 councillors each.

One of the two will need to do a deal with either the two Green representatives Cllr Paddy Short and Cllr Caroline Montague or another ex-Labour councillor, Independent Cllr Joyce Plummer, to take control of the borough.

The political split in the Cox family perfectly illustrates what has happened since former leader Miles Parkinson quit Labour in March last year.

Cllr Loraine followed him out of the party and then joined the Conservatives and held her Church ward by 34 votes for her new party despite a major effort by Labour to win it.

Cllr Paul remained with Labour and held his Milnshaw ward by 398 votes.

She said: "We leave our politics at the front door and fight it out in the council chamber. I am absolutely delighted to have held the ward.

"I think we are the first married couple to represent different parties in Hyndburn Council's history."

He said: "This is the first time married couple has been elected for different parties in different wards in the borough's history. I am very proud of Loraine and very pleased to be re-elected."

Labour group took three wards formerly held by Independents including Mr Parkinson's Altham ward but crucially failed to win back Church and lost their councillor Mohammad Ayub in Accrington's Central ward to Conservative Younis Mohammed by 84 votes leaving them two short of the 18 councillors needed to take back the control they lost in March last year,

Mr Parkinson, whose defeat by 124 votes was greeted by Labour cheers at the Accrington Town Hall count on Friday, said: "It has been really gratifying to serve the people of Hyndburn for 28 years.

"I wish the council well in regenerating the borough for the prosperity of the residents.

"The result was not unexpected with the cost of living crisis dominating and not really local issues.

"I am grateful that so many people voted for me as an Independent."

Labour group leader Cllr Munsif Dad said after the count: "We have made three gains from the Independents. We had hoped to win Church and we disappointed to lose Central.

"The voters have spoken in Altham where Steve Button will make an excellent councillor.

"We shall hold a group meeting on Sunday to decide where we go from here and whether to seek a deal with the Greens and Cllr Harrison."

Conservative group boss Cllr Marlene Haworth said: "I am quite pleased with the results. We held on to all our councillors and gained one.

"We will have meetings with the Greens and Cllr Plummer on Monday."

Cllr Plummer, who was not up for re-election expressed sadness that fellow ex-Labour turned Independent veteran June Harrison lost her Barnfield ward by 24 votes.

Asked which of Labour or the Tories she might support for the leadership of the council, she said: "At this moment I am upset at June Harrison and Miles Parkinson losing their seats and I will over the weekend decide what my decision will be."

The Greens five candidates failed to win any of their contests and neither Cllr Short or Cllr Montague were available for comment after the count.

Labour's joint deputy leaders Cllrs Melissa Fisher and Kate Walsh held their Clayton-le-Moors and Rishton wards respectively while last year's Mayor Cllr Kath Pratt held he Baxenden ward for the Conservatives by 29 votes after a recount.

Former Huncoat Labour councillor Dave Parkins made a triumphant return the ward, vacated by Independent Eammonn Higgins, by 742 votes.