LABOUR has become the biggest party on Warrington Borough Council following a stunning election success.

Results have seen them seize five seats, four from the Lib Dems and one from the Conservatives.

The shock results mean Labour now has the most number of seats on the council - although they will fall short of a majority.

With all results in, Labour have 27 seats, the Lib Dems 24 and the Conservatives six.

Labour leader Clr Terry O'Neill says he is delighted with the results and would seek to form an administration next Monday at the next council meeting.

But he ruled out a deal with another party.

"I have said I don't believe in joint administrations and this one has not been good for Warrington.

"I think the proper thing is for the biggest party to attempt to run the council as a minority."

The Warrington Guardian understands the Lib Dem-Tory alliance running the council could be over with the Conservatives likely to pull out.

Deputy leader Clr Keith Bland says he will take time to think about what to do next.

But other factions in the party are known to want to pull out.

Hatton, Stretton and Walton councillor Paul Kennedy said it would be 'wrong' for the Conservatives to attempt to run the council with the Lib Dems when they no longer had the most seats.

Clr Kennedy also said he was no longer prepared to work with the Lib Dems following their "disgusting" tactics in the campaign - including putting boxes for Lib Dem hospital petitions outside and inside polling stations.

Current council leader Ian Marks said the administration had worked well for Warrington and he would want to stay on if a new deal with the Conservatives could be agreed.

He said he was shocked by the Lib Dems poor showing and that attention on the General Election may have meant activists took their eye of the ball for the local elections.