HALTONS local elections threw up few surprises last Thursday.

The percentage of voters countrywide was low and people in Halton kept up with the national average with 56 per cent of constituents using their vote.

There are now six wards in the borough with new councillors. Cllr Stan Broome from the Appleton ward retired and is replaced by Labours Maurice Craig. Liberal Democrat Cllr, Roger Pearce from the Beechwood ward retired and was replaced by Liberal Democrat Linda Redhead. Labour Cllr Olive Smith also retired and is replaced by Labours Ann Gerrard.

Cllrs who were formerly part of the Labour party but who defected to form the Runcorn Labour Councillors Group sensationally lost their long held seats.

From the Brookvale ward Joseph Glover lost his seat to Labours Irene Ashley and Thomas Waring is replaced by David Thompson in the Palacefields ward.

Labours Mark Jackson also replaces retired Howell Rogers in the Norton ward.

As a result the current make-up of Halton Borough Council is Labour 45, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 2, Runcorn labour Councillors group 2. There is one vacancy due to the death of Hale Villages Cllr, Colin Naylor.