The Liberal Democrats scored a number of victories against both the Conservatives and Labour in the first council byelections of the year.
The byelections, which took place last Thursday, saw a swing from the Tories to the Lib Dems in the Three Rivers DC, Gade Valley. Cllr Alex Michaels got 60.9% of the vote while his Conservative rival achieved 19.1%.
Meanwhile, in Sunderland MB, Sandhill Lib Dem candidate Stephen O’Brien won with 45%, taking the seat from the Labour candidate who scored 25%.
In Alsager TC, East the Liberal Democrats’ candidate Carrie Pletscher held the seat with 69.9%.
‘We finished 2016 winning by-elections and tonight we have shown that the Liberal Democrat fightback is going from strength to strength,’ said Lib Dem leader Tim Farron.
‘This week’s success follows our best ever year for council by-election gains in 2016 and winning the parliamentary by-election in Richmond Park.
‘Thanks to the hard work of local campaigners and great candidates we have gained two new council seats and control of a council.’
