TWO long-serving party leaders were today coming to terms with being ousted as Lancashire County Council's red army remained in power.

Labour swept to victory in the county elections, winning an extra seven seats.

But Conservative leader and Chorley Rural East councillor Pat Case and Liberal Democrat leader Anne Smith, the Fylde St Anne's South councillor, both lost.

Mrs Case, whose husband Neal died two years ago and whose handicapped daughter has just gone into care, said she was saddened to leave after 20 years in the council chamber.

She said: "I'm very disappointed but it is a democracy. I only had a majority of 70 so I did know that the prospect was doubtful.

"I've got holes in my life all over the place. I hope somewhere there will still be a role I can play in local government.

"I'm not planning to bow out but I'm not quite sure what the future holds." John Walsh, chairman of the North West Conservative Local Government Committee added: "It's very sad. She has given invaluable service and I feel for her. She will be a great loss to the county."

Labour increased its number of seats to 60, the Conservatives have 29, Liberal Democrats, eight and Independent Labour, one. There will be a by-election in Blackpool's Anchorsholme and Norbreck ward following the death of a councillor.

Labour's new seats include Morecambe East, Heysham, and Burnley South West.

When Blackburn and Blackpool become unitary authorities next year, the council loses 19 seats but Labour will still rule with a majority of 16.

Labour leader Coun John West, who won his Preston South East seat with a convincing 2,700 majority, said he was looking forward to working with Tony Blair's new Labour government.

He said: "I'm delighted to lead Labour to a fifth term of office. By the end of this term we will have been in control at county hall for two decades and that is certainly a record.

"We have now a very big majority to go into the next century. On top of Coun Case and Coun Smith losing their seats, I am delighted to have secured the departure of Tony Greaves in Pendle."

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