LABOUR stormed to an emphatic victory by claiming six seats from the Liberal Democrats in the local elections.

There were shock defeats for the Lib Dems in Whittle Hall and Great Sankey North.

And Ted Finnegan, who was due to become Mayor of Warrington this year also lost his seat in Latchford West.

Two members of the former executive board also failed to be re-elected.

Bob Timmis, the former executive member for leisure and skills, was the first Lib Dem to fall after Labour's Steve Parish polled more than 1,000 more votes than him in Bewsey and Whitecross.

Then Roy Smith, former executive member for health and wellbeing, lost by just 51 votes in Great Sankey North to Labour's Dan Price.

Labour clinched a shock win in Whittle Hall with Faisal Rashid triumphing over Judith Wheeler.

And Poulton North saw Graham Friend take up the seat for Labour, with Colin Oliver the Lib Dem victim in that ward.

Labour held on to all of their seats, as did the Conservatives.

The Lib Dems held on to Appleton, Grappenhall and Thelwall, Lymm and Stockton Heath.

Labour now have a majority of 34 councillors to Lib Dems 17 and Conservatives six seats respectively.

Labour Group leader Clr Terry O'Neill said: "The people of Warrington have given a vote of confidence to the Labour Party in the town. There has been a national picture but we have been campaigning on local issues."

Warrington North MP Helen Jones added: "This is obviously a very good night for Labour in Warrington.

"The Lib Dems have been devastatingly rejected by the voters.

"It is now our job to do our best to protect the people of Warrington from the massive Tory cuts being inflicted on the town and to gain their trust by the way we conduct ourselves in office."