HUSBAND and wife team Terry and Joyce Cartwright have been crowned the borough's kingmakers after a week of activity on Preston's political merry-go-round.

Mrs Cartwright's victory as a Labour Independent in Deepdale has given the independents the deciding vote in the Town Hall.

It would have meant the loss of control for the official Labour group for the first time in Preston in 20 years, had it not been for the shock defection of Lib Dem Allan Foster to the Red Rose group. As it was, they managed to retain power for a further 24 hours, and it was controversial Labour councillor, Mick Moulding, who had the privilege of knocking the majority party off its perch, when he decided to go it alone.

Coun Moulding wasn't the only one shuffling around the council chamber; Lib Dem Pat Whittle decided to join him, taking the tally of independents to four.

But despite the political manoeuvring, Labour intends to continue to run the Town Hall as a minority administration. Council leader Peter Rankin said: "It has been a very eventful week but I'm afraid the Labour Party is full now."

Lib Dem leader Bill Chadwick is calling on the Conservatives and Independents to form a coalition and he has called for a by-election in Larches to force Coun Foster to re-stand.

The Labour Party now has 28 seats with the opposition guarding 29 - 12 Lib Dems, 13 Conservatives and four Independents.

Among the first time victors, Joyce Cartwright enjoyed a resounding victory in Deepdale. She is delighted to be joining husband Terry - thus giving the independents the balance of power in the borough. She said: "This is a victory for the people. They have voted for me because they are fed up with party politics and also because Terry has such an excellent reputation."

Meanwhile, in Greyfriars, former town clerk Geoff Driver was given a ticket back to the Town Hall when he snatched a seat from the Lib Dems. Mr Driver had retired from the post of town clerk after a public bust-up with the ruling Labour leadership.

The Liberal Democrats snatched Rural West from the Conservatives for the first time in 15 years, with Christine Abram taking the ward from George Wilkins. They also gained Larches ward, with Joe Fitzgerald the new representative for the area.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.