BURY’S leading Labour group retained overall control of the council in a dramatic night of election action.

The party still holds a working majority of seven after making a net loss of one seat, although it made gains in Ramsbottom and Elton.

Conservatives also lost one seat despite taking Radcliffe North.

However, the biggest upset of the evening came in Radcliffe East where Independent candidate James Mason, from the Radcliffe First group, took a surprise victory after several recounts.

Elsewhere the Lib Dems held on to Holyrood, maintaining a clean sweep of all three seats in the ward, and also gained St Mary’s.

No seats were taken by the Greens, UKIP or the English Democrats - who fielded one candidate in Besses.

The overall makeup of Bury Council now stands at:

Labour – 29

Conservatives – 16

Lib Dems – 4

Independents – 2

Labour leader Rishi Shori described the night as "a mixed bag".

He added: "I am pleased we secured the majority in the popular vote, but we are one seat down compared to 2018.

"We intend to analyse the results and reflect on what people are saying."

Cllr Shori also congratulated to Radcliffe First on their maiden victory in Radcliffe East, but added: "Across the country, there has been a surge in support for independents.

"We are going to take some time to look at the results and try to understand why people voted as they did."

Despite early worries from Labour figures that votes for the party had taken a hit, putting it under threat, the end result was not as bad as had been feared.

Labour put in a strong showing in the north of the borough to take Ramsbottom in a repeat of 2018, and gain Elton by a narrow margin of 16 votes.

It also held on to Besses, East, Moorside, Redvales, Sedgley, Unsworth, and Radcliffe West.

However the party had a poor showing in the rest of Radcliffe, which produced the most dramatic results of the night, losing Radcliffe North to the Conservative Sam Hurst, and Radcliffe East to Independent James Mason.

Labour’s narrow victory in Radcliffe West saw Beth Mortenson become the youngest councillor to be elected to Bury Council in its history, aged 18.

The title had previously been held by fellow Radcliffe newcomer Councillor Hurst.

Councillor Mortenson said: "I am over the moon, it has been so surreal.

"I am only 18 so this has been the first year I have been able to vote myself. It has been such hard work, but it has paid off and I am so happy.

"It is amazing to be the youngest councillor ever elected. I am hoping to inspire young people to get out voting and get involved in politics."

Cllr Hurst said: "The government did not make it easy for us in this election, but our campaign was strong.

"We fought on specific local issues and people in Radcliffe feel let down after 30 years of Labour control, which we can see by the results tonight.

"Tonight I am so proud to be from Radcliffe."

The win for Councillor Mason in Radcliffe East is the first time a seat has been taken by the nascent Radcliffe First group, although he was elected on an Independent ticket.

The group, who also fielded candidate Carol Birchmore, narrowly defeated in Radcliffe West, are now seeking full party status.

Cllr Mason said he was “absolutely delighted” with the win, adding: "We have put two months' hard work in and I am just glad that the people of Radcliffe have voted for me.

"Radcliffe needs a voice and we will be doing that. A political party will be formed within the next few months."

Bury’s Conservatives had a night of mixed fortunes taking just the one seat in Radcliffe but losing Ramsbottom and Elton.

The party did, however, hold on to Church, North Manor, Pilkington Park and Tottington.

Conservative leader James Daly said he was "disappointed" with how the night went.

He added: "We ran a positive campaign standing up for those who believe we should protect the green belt.

"That has been successful in Radcliffe North, but not elsewhere."

The Liberal Democrats held Holyrood and gained one further ward, with Michael Powell taking St Mary’s by a convincing 942 vote margin from Labour.

Councillor Powell said: “We worked very hard to take this seat after we came close two years before.

“We are really pleased that our main message resonated with residents and I am really looking forward to representing the area.”

Maria Tegolo, who won in Holyrood for the Lib Dems and takes over from the outgoing Mary D'Albert, said: "I am very pleased to have taken the seat.

"I think it really shows that voters in Holyrood are against the building of houses on green belt in Simister."