PENDLE'S Liberal Democrat councillors shortened the gap between themselves and the Labour Party by winning the Horsfield seat, despite their earlier concerns that some people were denied a chance to vote.

A by-election was held to fill the gap left in the Colne ward when former Labour councillor Colin Nightingale resigned because of work pressures.

But before the voting had even started the Liberal Democrat group made allegations that people had been denied votes by not being given poll cards.

But a council spokesman said: "The Liberal Democrats put out a news sheet in the Horsfield ward saying the Council hadn't issued poll cards. That is true, we haven't issued poll cards because we sent letters to all residents instead.

"We thought that by sending a letter which has the statutory details which would be on a poll card on it, it might encourage more people to vote.

"Last year only 28.79 per cent in the ward voted, which was four per cent less on average than the other wards in Colne."

But the by-election had a disappointing turn-out of only 27 per cent. Former Mayoress of Pendle, Dorothy Lord, had a runaway success taking 78 per cent of the vote.

Dorothy, 48, of Earl Street, Colne, received 634 votes, Labour candidate David Foat, 44, who lives in Horsfield had 205 votes and mother-of-two Alexandra Thompson, 30, who also lives in the ward received 74 votes. She has been out of the council since losing her seat in the Vivary Bridge ward last year and Dorothy is glad to be back. The mother-of-two said: "I am absolutely delighted. It's fantastic. I was very confident because I have felt the support over the last month and right from the beginning. I think being a former councillor has helped and I am known in the area from when I was mayoress.

"I had a survey which was delivered to all the houses and instead of us telling them what we intend to do, we let them tell us what they wanted and that really worked well. I am now going to pick up on all the issues and feedback and I am really looking forward to being back on the council.

"It was hard work being a councillor and mayoress but I have had a year's rest now and feel rejuvenated."

Coun Lord, who is a care assistant at Parrock House home for the elderly, will join the Mayor, Coun Ian Gilhespy, and his wife Gillian Gilhespy in making Horsfield an all-Liberal Democrat ward. The other candidates David Foat and Alexandra Thompson both vowed they would stand again next year.