THERE was a sea of red at Chorley Town Hall as Labour strengthened their hold on the authority.

Labour managed to grab two seats from the Conservatives with Mick Muncaster one of the highest profile casualties.

Neville Whitham took Clayton-le-Woods West and Cuerden ward with 771 while Muncaster polled 709.

The other gain for Labour was Gillian Frances Sharples taking Euxton South with 715 votes.

On a difficult night for the Tories, Eric Bell held onto Clayton-le-Woods and Whittle-le-Woods ward and then Keith Iddon won Eccleston and Mawdesley.

Meanwhile, Chorley Council leader Alistair Bradley believes it shows the electorate’s faith in the administration’s plan for the future.

He said: “I am delighted that in a tough year for us given the high points of four years ago that we have returned with two seats we have not held.

“This was a show of support for Labour and the ambitious steps for the town.”

Meanwhile veteran councillor Ralph Snape continues to have a strong following in Chorley North West by getting 1356 votes.

Results

Adlington & Anderton - Labour HOLD • Albert Graham Dunn  (LAB) - 1277 • Edward Lowe  (CON) - 803 • William Pilling  (LIB) - 111

Astley & Buckshaw - Labour HOLD • Matthew John Lynch (LAB) - 1071 • Aidy Riggot (CON) - 1041

Chisnall - Labour HOLD • Mervyn Heyes Holden (CON) - 559 • Alan Whittaker (LAB) - 777

Chorley East - Labour HOLD • Clare Denise Grew (CON) - 413 • Hasina Khan (LAB) - 1195

Chorley North East - Labour HOLD • Ryan Paul Hoey (CON) - 395 • Alistair Morwood (LAB) - 1059 • Tommy Shorrock (UKIP) - 81

Chorley North West - Independent HOLD Sarah Elizabeth Ainsworth (LAB) - 561 Luke Steven Kerr (CON) - 282 Ralph Snape (IND) - 1356

Chorley South East - Labour HOLD • Marie Elizabeth Gray (CON) - 591 • Bev Murray (LAB) - 1240 • David Porter (LIB) - 119

Chorley South West - Labour HOLD • Diane Elizabeth Curtis (LIB) - 148 • Roy Lees (LAB) - 1148 • Sandra Mercer (CON) - 419

Clayton-le-Woods & Whittle-le-Woods * James Eric Bell  (CON) - 1198 • William David Carpenter (IND) - 50 • Glenda Charlesworth (LIB) - 128 • Mark Clifford (LAB) - 1015

Clayton-le-Woods North - Labour HOLD • Magda Cullens (CON) - 646 • Yvonne Hargreaves (LAB) - 1025

Clayton-le-Woods West & Cuerden - Labour GAIN • Mick Muncaster  (CON) - 709 • Gail Patricia Ormston (LIB) - 125 • Neville Grant Whitham (LAB) - 771 Coppull - Labour HOLD • Carole Billouin (CON) - 393 • Steve Holgate (LAB) -  1123

Eccleston & Mawdesley - Conservative HOLD Catherine Ann Donegan (LAB) - 762 • Mark Robert Frost (LIB) - 190 • Keith Iddon (CON) - 1179 • Mark Lawrence Smith (UKIP) - 56

Euxton North - Labour HOLD • Tommy Gray (LAB) - 834 • Barry Edwin Mason (DVP) - 52 • Hazel Sarah Walton (CON) - 527

Euxton South - Labour GAIN • Phil Loynes (CON) - 704 • Gillian Sharples (LAB) - 715 Pennine - Labour HOLD • Gordon France (LAB) - 528 • Peter Malpas (CON) - 459

Wheelton & Withnell - Labour HOLD • Margaret Mary France (LAB) - 970 • Caroline Snowden (CON) - 780

The Citizen will have more reaction in Wednesday’s paper.