PRESTON'S political merry-go-round went into overdrive as the voters had their say on the local issues.

Ultimately, it was a night of trading seats among the parties, with Labour retaining its one seat majority - thanks to a defection by Liberal Democrat Alan Foster, who joined the Labour Party despite not even being up for re-election.

His decision leaves the Labour Party with 29 seats, and the opposition with 28 seats - the Liberal Democrats 13, Conservatives 13 and two Labour Independents.

Among the first time victors was Joyce Cartwright, wife of Labour independent Terry Cartwright. She enjoyed a resounding victory in Deepdale, catching the seat from the Labour Party.

She is delighted to be joining Terry in the council chamber - 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.

"I have worked alongside him and now I am looking forward to campaigning on the issues that matter to the people of Deepdale.

"It will also be an advantage that we hold the balance of power."

Meanwhile, in Greyfriars, former town clerk Geoff Driver was given a ticket back into the town hall when he snatched one of the seats from the Liberal Democrats. 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 clutches of 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.

Relieved council leader Peter Rankin said he was pleased with the night's results.

He said: "We have done remarkably well. We have had to fight a hard campaign midway through the Labour Government's term and I feel we have done well.

"In some wards, the result was disappointing but elsewhere we have done well."

Liberal Democrat leader Bill Chadwick was also in an optimistic mood.

He said: "This is an election where there is something for everyone. Where we put up a hard fight, we either won or gain a lot of new votes.

"Although the Labour Party is still in control, I believe more members are prepared to cross the floor to join us in the future."

On Alan Foster's defection, he added: "I think, once he has been through a period of sober reflection, he will see what a silly decision he has made."

The Conservative said it had been an evening of mixed fortune.

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