A TAKE-AWAY proprietor is bidding to become Rossendale's first Asian councillor.

Abu Asad Choudhury, owner of the Shanaz in Rawtenstall, is standing for the Conservative Party in Cribden Ward where he will face new Labour candidate Alyson Barnes and Liberal Democrat Paul Marx. Long-standing Labour Councillor Hazel Harding is retiring.

Labour is defending 10 of the 12 seats up for re-election and the council is currently 25 Labour seats to 11 Conservative.

The current Labour Mayor of Rossendale Coun Mollie Disley will defend her Hareholme seat and the Conservative leader Coun John Holt will be fighting Irwell.

CRIBDEN

A Barnes (Lab)

A Choudhury (Con)

P Marx (Lib Dem)

FACIT

AND SHAWFORTH

L Hammond (Con)

E Pickup (Lab)*

GREENFIELD D Atkinson (Lab)*

R Bennett (Lib Dem)

G Lee (Con)

GREENSCLOUGH

W Challinor (Con)

B O'Connor (Lab)

HAREHOLME

M Disley (Lab)*

L Entwistle (Con)

HEALEY

AND WHITWORTH

R Pickup (Lab)

S Shellard (Con)

HELMSHORE

D Mann (Lib Dem)

M Procter (Lab)

N Smith (Con)

IRWELL

J Bradbury (Lab) J Holt (Con)*

LONGHOLME

J Forshaw (Lab)*

B Marriott (Con)

STACKSTEADS

T Calder (Lab)*

M Talukdar (Con)

WHITEWELL

J Hayler (Lab)*

C Wadsworth (Con)

WORSLEY

G Atkinson (Lab)*

L Riley (Con)

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