CONGLETON Borough's ruling party suffered a series of by-election defeats on Thursday at the hands of both the Conservatives and Labour.

The Liberal Democrats were defending five borough and town council seats in Congleton following the resignation of three of their councillors.

They lost all five, being humbled in Congleton North by Labour and squeezed into second by the Conservatives in Congleton North West.

In the borough contests David Atkin romped home in North, overturning a 115-Lib Dem majority to win by 147 votes.

Sue Appleton beat the Lib Dems by 26 votes in North West and a margin of 38 in the same ward on the town council.

David Atkin and Andy Hulme were the Labour victors for the two vacant North ward seats on the town council, more than 150 votes clear of the Lib Dems challengers.

The by-elections were caused by the resignations of Frank Holt and David Thwaite from the borough council, Mr Holt claiming he was 'gagged' by his party from speaking out on a range of issues.

Lib Dem leader Linda Short adamantly refuted the allegation, stating that councillors were free to put views forward at regular group meetings.

Mr Holt and Mr Thwaite also resigned from the town council, along with Judith Thwaite, because of the way the council dealt with planning issues.

Roland Domleo, the leader of the borough's Conservative group, was delighted with Mrs Appleton's success, and said the results hinged on the 'gagging' issue.

"We fought the elections on this issue, and believe ward councillors should have the right to act as individuals."

The borough results leave the Lib Dems on 32 seats, with the Conservatives with 14 and Labour on two.

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