THE Conservatives tumbled to the third party in power in Chorley following this year's historic borough elections.

Contesting all 15 seats on the night, they lost seven to Labour and one to the Liberal Democrats and now have just five councillors in the town hall.

And council leader John Wilson said he believed the results had thrown up an historic 'first' with the Conservatives without a councillor in what was the old borough of Chorley. Labour is now firmly in control of Chorley Borough Council with 35 seats. The Liberal Democrats have seven following David Bland's victory in Clayton-le-Woods East.

Though not as bad as last year's Blue murder at the polls, last Thursday was still a nightmare for the Conservatives both locally and nationally.

They failed to gain a single seat throughout the whole of Lancashire and control just three councils following the loss of more than 500 councillors on the night.

Labour is now quoted at the shortest odds to win a General Election since losing power 17 years ago.

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