ROSSENDALE'S Conservative Party were dealt a blow after they lost three seats in Thursday night's by-election.

The valley's ruling party saw its majority cut as it was defeated by two Labour candidates and a Liberal Democrats in the vote.

Conversatives now have 19 seats, Labour 14 seats, and two for the Liberal Democrats.

Labour's Dorothy Farrington took Goodshaw with 632 votes, more than double the Conservative votes.

And Labour's Tina Anne Durkin, who failed to win in May's election by two votes, took victory in Irwell ward with 379 votes, 67 more than the Conservative candidate Hazel May Steen.

The Liberal Democrat's Tim Nuttall took Whitewell with 606 votes.

Labour, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and the BNP each fielded candidates in all three seats, which became vacant following the resignation of three Conservative councillors in two months.

Coun Janet Farquharson, of Irwell ward, quit the valley last month to return to Scotland where she and her husband Charlie were born.

Michael Ormerod, who sparked anger by failing to resign after he moved to Italy with his family, resigned in July citing health reasons, as did Marlene Crosta.

Conservative and council leader coun Duncan Ruddick said: "The results of yesterday's by-elections were obviously very disappointing and we must heed the lessons if we are to continue the improvement journey after the next elections in May 2008.

"Clearly it is not enough to have completely transformed "the worst Council in England" into what is now a fit for purpose organisation with a strong financial base and officially recognised as "GOOD.

"It is not enough to face up to the really tough decisions about waste collection in order to keep it affordable and at the same time completely turn the service round.

"Having done all that, we now need to communicate this to the people of Rossendale whilst listening to what they feel is still left to do. "

Alyson Barnes, Labour leader, who was on hand to celebrate with the winning candidates at Bacup Leisure Centre, said: "This is a cracking result for us.

"It sends a clear message to Duncan Ruddick and the council that people in Rossendale want to see a change of control and it simply boils down to listening.

"We have done well because we had local people who are interested in what is going on in the area and who want to improve it."

Coun Nuttall, 54, who works as a tourism officer and came second in May's election, said: "I am proud to be here.

"This is to do with local politics and local people. That is what I have stood and that is why I got in."

The BNP failed to win any seats.

Average turnout in all three wards was 29.64 with voters in Goodshaw topping the table with a 33.77 percent.

Full results
Goodshaw
Dorothy Farrington (Lab) 632
Judith Bates (Con) 300
Michael Crossley (BNP) 80
Benjamin Dixon (Lib Dem) 52
Labour gain from Conservatives

Irwell
Tina Durkin (Lab) 379
Hazel Steen (Con) 312
Kevin Bryan (BNP) 281
Jim Pilling (Lib Dem) 48
Labour gain from Conservatives

Whitewell
Tim Nuttall (Lib Dem) 606
Tricia Dearden (Lab) 399
Peter Starkey (Con) 152
Peter Salt (BNP) 91
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservatives