JANET Anderson, pictured, swept to a storming victory as she strengthened her electoral grip in Rossendale and Darwen.

The mother-of-three easily fought off the challenge of Tory Trisha Buzzard by increasing her majority from a slender 120 to 10,949.

Mrs Anderson, 47, turned what was the closest Labour marginal in the country into a seemingly safe seat.

Afterwards as she hugged husband Vince and children David, James and Katie, she spoke of her "double whammy" of local and national success and condemned 18 years of Tory Government.

The Shadow Minister for Women, asked: "How can we forget the misery that has been caused in the valley of Rossendale and the town of Darwen during the past 18 years?"

The victory, a swing to Labour of 10.65 per cent, came despite a 10 per cent fall in the turnout.

Teacher Brian Dunning gained 5,435 votes for the Liberal Democrats, almost 2,000 less than 1992. Roy Newstead, representing the Referendum Party, scooped 1,108 votes, while Andrew Wearden got 674 for the British National Party. ROSSENDALE and DARWEN Janet Anderson (Lab) 27,470

Trisha Buzzard (Con) 16,521

Brian Dunning (Lib Dem) 5,435

Roy Newstead (Ref) 1,108

Andrew Wearden (BNP) 674

LABOUR HOLD. Maj 10,949.

Percentage Poll : 73.4pc

Swing to Labour 10.6pc

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