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A NAIL-BITING night of tension saw the Tories win outright control of Bury Council for the first time in 22 years.

The Conservatives left Labour with their own blues by snatching the three seats they needed to win the power they last enjoyed in 1986.

The night started in high drama when the first result was declared in East ward, when a scuffle broke out between party supporters. And it ended with a cliffhanger in Redvales, the final ward to be declared, with the Tories still needing that third gain. Huge cheers greeted the announcement that candidate Ijaz Ahmed had defeated Labour's Susan Southworth by a 372 majority.

Labour lost a fourth seat, St Mary's, to the Lib Dems, giving the latter complete control of the three Prestwich wards.

The make-up of the council is now: Conservatives 26; Labour 16; and Liberal Democrat 9.

Tory leader, Councillor Bob Bibby, admitted it was a nail-biting night but he was very happy with the outcome.

"I am absolutely delighted. After three years of trying, we have finally achieved what we set out to do.

He continued: "We came so very near in East ward, a Labour stronghold. It proves our policies are working, and we are going in the direction the country wants."

The overall turnout was 38.14 per cent, around the same figure as last year.

Bury North MP David Chaytor said: "The Tories have been trying to gain control of Bury council for 22 years, and they've finally done it with a majority of just one. They will be disappointed that they have failed to build a majority in double figures, that's the kind of majority they need in councils like Bury if they are to be taken seriously at the next general election."

The vote looks good for David Nuttall, who as Tory Parliamentary candidate for Bury North hopes to wipe out Mr Chaytor's slim majority.

"We are clearly ahead in terms of the popular vote," he said, "But I don't take it for granted that this vote can be translated to the general election. There's no complacency. I am pleased for Bury people, not the politicians. That's always my concern: I want to improve local people's lives."

The Tories easily held their strongholds in North Manor, Tottington and Ramsbottom, along with Church. They won their target seats in Radcliffe North, where Labour's Tim Chamberlain was unseated after 12 years, and Radcliffe East, where Sam Hurst is now Bury's youngest ever councillor, at the age of 20.

Labour's few successes were hard-won. John Byrne retained the East ward seat he has held for 24 years by just 125 votes, while Dot Cassidy held on to Moorside by 82 votes. With 36 years' service, the "father of the council" Derek Boden won again in Besses.

Bury South MP Ivan Lewis said: "It was a bad night for Labour in Bury and throughout the country. We can take some consolation from the fact that, in difficult circumstances, there was no collapse of the Labour vote and no evidence of the Labour vote switching to the Tories.

Lib Dem councillor Vic D'Albert, who will now be joined by his wife Mary on the council, said: "I'm delighted we met our targets, taking the final seat in Prestwich. The Tories are now more free to do what they like, but we still intend to hold them to account. Despite Labour comments about pacts, as with last year we will decide every issue on its merits. We have lots to fight for, especially the regeneration of Prestwich town centre."

Final victor Ijaz Ahmed, said: "People were ready for a change. The national picture certainly helped: the abolition of the 10p tax rate seemed to be a big issue, but congestion charging also played a role. I will be campaigning against it because it will affect my ward."

8:00am Thursday 8th May 2008

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