THE leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Blackburn with Darwen Council is to step down after 26 years.

Coun Paul Browne, who represents the Sudell ward in Darwen will officially announce his decision at a meeting on the Liberal Democrat group tonight.

He said he had taken the decision because of his party's performance in the local elections earlier this month.

Today fellow party leaders on the council paid tribute to Coun Browne's leadership and his good humour.

His deputy, Coun David Foster, is tipped to take over at the helm.

Coun Browne said he was resigning because his prediction that the Lib Dems would make big gains and Labour would lose control of the council had not materialised.

Overall the Lib Dems gained two seats, Labour lost two, the Conservatives lost two and the nationalist England First Party gained two seats.

He added: "I am not putting myself up for leader.

"I am upset because I was telling everybody that we were going to clinch the election and that this was the year it was going to happen.

"Just getting two seats knocked me for six.

"It's a farewell to the leadership but I can assure you that I will still be the same guy.

"I will still be fighting my corner and will still defend the Liberal Democrat cause."

Leader of the council, Labour councillor Kate Hollern, said: "He's been a good leader to work with, very honest and very straight.

"I wish him well, and I am sure that he will not be silent."

Coun Colin Rigby, leader of the Conservatives, said: "I think you have got to look at Paul Browne's record.

"He has been a good leader and has increased their numbers over the last few years.

"He's brought some humour to the place over the years, and has been a good ward councillor."

Coun Browne was first elected to the council in 1973, representing the old North East ward.

In 1995 he lost his seat but got back on three weeks later after successfully fighting a by-election.

Coun Foster, who represents Whitehall, said the group would be meeting tonight, but until then nothing had been decided about who would take over.

Coun Foster, who has been a councillor and deputy leader for 16 years, teaches science and is assistant head teacher at Penwortham Girls High School in Preston.