VOTERS throughout Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale were at the polls today in the district council elections.

In Burnley all eyes are on the Lowerhouse ward, where Labour are actively canvassing for a candidate who is no longer a member of their party.

After his nomination was accepted, Sam Holgate announced he did not want to proceed because of ill health.

He then formally resigned from the party.

Defending his seat in the ward is former Labour stalwart and Mr Holgate's uncle, Eddie Fisk, who crossed the floor of the council chamber and turned independent following the housing allocations inquiry row.

Labour also have a strong hold on Rossendale Council and are defending 11 of the 12 seats in a straight fight with Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats, who control Pendle Council, were defending ten seats, Labour six and the Conservatives one. Labour and LibDem election agents have accused each other of abuse of the proxy system which allows an elector to nominate someone else to vote on their behalf if they are unable to get to the polling station in person.

Labour councillor Tim Ormrod said: "After the elections we will be seeking to review current procedures associated with proxy and postal votes."

Liberal election agent Tony Greaves said he favoured a scheme where postal rather than proxy votes were used.

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