STUART Caddy has quit as leader of Burnley Council after the ruling executive was wrestled from Labour's grasp.

But the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have been accused of "a marriage of shame" by former mayor Coun Rafique Malik after they were supported by the British National Party (BNP).

Coun Caddy, leader for the past six-and-a-half years, resigned along with four fellow Labour executive members after the full council supported proposals for a cross-party coalition.

Labour will now form an opposition group and crisis meetings will decide who will sit on the executive.

Today, council chief executive, Gillian Taylor, said: "It will be business as usual as far as the council is concerned. Services and other works will continue as before."

After the June elections, Labour's 21 members formed a minority administration and effectively held the balance of power, with the opposition 24 being made up of 11 Lib Dems councillors, six BNP, four Conservatives, two from the Independent Group and one independent.

The coup was led by Lib Dem leader Coun Gordon Birtwistle who put forward motions to reduce numbers on the executive.

He said the people of Burnley had called for change in the local elections and wanted Labour to share power. He also said the changes would make for a more efficient administration.

Coun Caddy said: "The remaining members of the executive are resigning. The motions passed are inconceivable and impractical and we will be forming an opposition."

The motions passed at the meeting include reducing the number of executive members from nine to five, recommending the leader allocate each remaining executive member a portfolio for strategic objectives and appointing five non-executive members.

A special meeting of the council will be held on Wednesday September 1 at 7pm to appoint a new council leader and executive.