LEADING Tories and Liberal Democrats have ruled out a voting pact on Bolton Council.

The parties now have six seats each after last week's local elections - with Labour tightening its iron grip with a commanding 48 seats.

But both party leaders have said that they are not prepared to join forces to make a united opposition.

New Liberal Democrat leader Mrs Barbara Ronson said: "There is no chance of a pact.

"But we are having discussions with the Conservatives as to how we will share things, but there is no way there will be a joint opposition." Tory leader Cllr Norman Critchley echoed her comments.

"We have talked with the Liberal Democrats, but nothing has been decided yet. "I cannot see there being a voting pact."

Cllr Critchley was last night re-elected as leader of the Tories on the Council.

The Mayor Cllr Alan Rushton will become deputy leader when his year in office ends on Wednesday.

Deane-cum-Heaton Cllr Colin Shaw was elected the group's chief whip.

No opposition spokesmen have yet been announced.=

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