LABOUR supporters across East Lancashire were today feeling the aftershocks of a political "earthquake" which rocked the foundations of its traditional strongholds.

The party's loss of seven seats on Blackburn with Darwen Council came as it was revealed former leader Coun Peter Greenwood is mounting a challenge to the leadership of Coun Malcom Doherty, and has attacked his handling of the introduction of the new cabinet/executive system of local government.

The Conservative party also has a massive majority in Hyndburn today, just three years after having only three councillors.

The Labour party also lost overall control in Burnley for the first time since the early 1970s and Tories are today in control of Rossendale for the first time in 14 years after a dramatic voting turnaround.

Labour also lost seven seats in Chorley where they only retain overall control on the Mayor's casting vote.

The only bright spot for the party came in Pendle, where Labour gained four seats.

Coun Doherty said: "We have spent the last three years working hard to get the new unitary authority up and running.

"We have been recognised for this hard work across the country but the people of the borough don't seem to see it in those terms. The massive swing to the right prompted Hyndburn Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe to label the events a political earthquake.

And Conservative party workers vowed to carry forward their success at the borough council polls to the next General Election.

Coun Britcliffe said: "I am absolutely delighted. What we are seeing is a political earthquake. We are winning seats we have never won before and I have my biggest majority in 16 years on the council."

The results were a personal success for Coun Britcliffe, who predicted the turnaround after being trounced by Labour's Greg Pope in the last General Election.

He said: "In 1997 I said in three years time I would be standing here as the leader of Hyndburn Council.

"We have now got to translate these votes to General Election votes."

Labour's poor results were a disappoinment to Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw, who blamed difficulties in mobilising core voters in traditional support areas.

But he added: "We have done significantly better in the last three years than any government I can think of in the last 30 years."

Mr Straw refused to dismiss Home Office efforts to increase turnouts as a failure, despite very poor voting levels in many areas.

He said the results of schemes such as the early voting initiative in Blackburn and Darwen would have to be analysed before any conclusions could be made.

Pictured at the count are Blackburn Council leader Malcolm Doherty, Councillor Sue Reid and Mayor elect Jack Bury.