Labour proved the big winner in Nantwich as the town turned Red in the Cheshire East Council local elections.
Both Nantwich South & Stapeley seats were lost by the Conservatives to Labour in one of the most tightly contested seats in the borough.
Geoff Smith (1,483) and John Priest (1,478) took the two seats from long-standing Conservatives Andrew Martin (1,395) and Peter Groves (1,316).
Meanwhile, in Nantwich North and West, long-standing Independent Arthur Moran retained his seat (768 votes).
But the Independents lost the other seat to Labour, with Anna Burton registering the most votes at 1,109.
Elsewhere, Conservatives group leader Cllr Janet Clowes held on to her Wybunbury seat comfortably, and Allen Gage held Willaston and Rope, also for Conservatives.
And Conservatives gained Bunbury from Independents, with Rebecca Posnett winning with 912 votes compared to Independent Jonathan Bill (846).
At 5.30pm, almost half the 82 Cheshire East seats had been declared, with Labour seemingly heading for outright control of the authority, winning 21 of 39 seats.
Many of the candidates for Cheshire East seats also seeking election in the Nantwich Town Council elections, with results due to be declared on town and parish councils over the weekend.
They obviously didn’t do a good enough job of fighting the planning application then. Some people work tirelessly despite being incompetent!!
As you say, a number of Labour candidates for Cheshire East stood for Nantwich Town Council. A number were elected, so that the balance on the Town Council is now seven Labour, six Independents and two Conservative. Arthur Moran kept his seat and so did Peter Groves. Hopefully the Town Council can work more closely with Cheshire East in the future.
Peter and Andrew were absolutely shattered because of the planning application for the housing estate. They fought that tirelessly, and these Labs have got in due to that, and nothing more. They have BIG boots to fill. I expect to see Nantwich turn Conservative immediately after this 4 year term is up.