Labour enjoy good day in Preston
Labour has halted its slide in Preston by hanging on to five seats - but lost a cabinet member.
The party won all but one of its previously-held wards, prompting one Labour leader to declare they had "bucked the trend" in Preston.
But Labour cabinet member Tom Burns lost his Preston North West seat to Lib Dem Mark Jewell.
County Coun Jewell, who already sits on Preston Council, said: "I'm ecstatic."
Labour man Carl Crompton won the bitter battle against former Labour education boss Vali Patel, who ran as an independent in Preston Central South after being deselected by the party.
>> For all the latest results from the Lancashire county elections, visit our special interactive map
Mr Patel finished fourth and left the Guild Hall before the result was announced.
An emotional Frank de Molfetta also saw off competition to take Preston Central North for Labour by 340 votes.
Liberal Democrats Bill Winlow ran a close contest against Tory Julie Buttle in Preston West.
Mr Winlow's narrow victory was declared after two recounts, during one of which Mrs Buttle fainted. He is now being mooted as a possible leader of the Lib Dems following the shock exit of David Whipp.
New council leader Geoff Driver won back his Preston North seat with a comfortable majority of almost 1,300.
>> BNP wins first Lancashire council seat - reaction
Conservative George Wilkins held onto Preston Rural with a majority of 2,132, and former Tory leader Michael Welsh also comfortably maintained his Preston North East seat, where UKIP finished second.
Charity worker Yousuf Motala eased to victory in Preston City for Labour and cabinet member Jennifer Mein also secured a strong victory in Preston South East.
Labour's Kevin Ellard retained his Preston East ward.
Coun John Collins, Labour leader on Preston City Council, said: "National things have been a problem but we have bucked the trend through hard work and hard campaigning."
See more coverage of the local elections in the Lancashire Evening Post
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
