CONSERVATIVE council candidates who lost out in last month's local elections actually increased the number of votes they received, a parliamentary candidate claimed.

Trisha Buzzard, speaking at a meeting of Rossendale and Darwen Conservative executive, expressed disappointment at the loss of experienced candidates who had faithfully served Rossendale and Blackburn Councils.

But she added that the party had the virtually the same share of the votes as they did in the last General Election.

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