THE election called in the wake of Clr Mike Howard's departure from the Town Hall could prove a barometer for ballot box success in next year's borough council polls.

As reported in last week's Guardian, Clr Howard, who represented the Poulton North ward, was forced to resign his position on Warrington Borough Council after his job as catering manager at Padgate High School was taken over by the council - and local government regulations state that councillors cannot be council employees.

With Warrington's Labour party currently enduring a turbulent 12 months, the Poulton North election, set for September, could prove a difficult one for the party, with both the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives hoping to make up ground.

A defeat for Labour, in one of the safest seats in the borough, would signal that a real challenge could be made on its control of the council.

Clr Howard said: "I am sorry to leave the council and I am sorry to hand in my notice. Warrington has still got a good Labour party to represent the town. We have got to move forward and I am sure that we will.

"I do wish Warrington all the best in the future and I am sure it will go from strength to strength.

"At this present moment the job has got to come before the council, but I have enjoyed my time as a councillor."