Lancashire news, sport and entertainment from Lancashire, Greater Manchester & Merseyside

Tory leader and deputy are out in elections

From the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, first published Thursday 9th May 1996.

HUSBAND and wife team, Doug and Sandra Hayes were left reeling in the wake of the local elections.

The Conservative couple both lost their seats after eight years on the council - just as they were about to become Mayor and Mayoress.

Now Mirza Yousaf will become the area's first Asian Mayor, later this month.

Mrs Hayes said: "We're still in shock. It has hurt us a lot that the people we have worked so hard for didn't support us.

Mr Hayes added: "We are very disappointed to not only lose the seats but also lose the chance of becoming Mayor and Mayoress.

"Neither of us is sure whether we will stand again in two years."

Hyndburn Conservative spirit was raised slightly by the success of leader Peter Britcliffe, who retained his seat in the St Andrew's ward.

But now the Tories must face the future with just three seats in the 47-seat council chamber.

Council leader George Slynn said: "We are delighted to have been given such a resounding vote of confidence.

"We have gained eight seats - seven Conservative and one Liberal Democrat - and now have probably the biggest majority in East Lancashire."

Liberal Democrats saw their only seat, in the Barnfield ward, go to Labour's Brenda Haworth.

The turnout was 37.4 per cent of the borough. The highest turnout was in St Andrew's ward - 52.8 per cent.

The lowest turnout was in Spring Hill ward, where just 28.6 per cent voted for either Brian Tomlinson or Cliff Westell.

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

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