The Independents could not hide their delight after taking seven seats from Labour.

Tiger Patel who is not part of the group took an eighth to make it a miserable day for the local party.

Labour kept hold of Blackburn with Darwen Council, albeit with a reduced majority.

The Conservatives are no longer the opposition with the Independents now boasting 12 councillors in the town hall.

Labour now have 29 councillors (down from 31), and the Conservatives nine having lost two in Ewood and Blackburn South and Lower Darwen wards.

Asian Image: One of the biggest wins on the day was in Bastwell.

Asian Image: 2024 Blackburn with Darwen local elections count at King George’s HallTiger Patel manages to upset the odds again in Little Harwood and Whitebirk

Asian Image: 2024 Blackburn with Darwen local elections count at King George’s HallLabour supporters cheer as election results are read out as the morning wore on

Asian Image: 2024 Blackburn with Darwen local elections count at King George’s HallMatt Jackson (left) for Labour celebrates after winning the Darwen South ward.

Asian Image: 2024 Blackburn with Darwen local elections count at King George’s Hall

Not a great day for the Conservatives but Mark Russell still polled 1,441 votes in the Livesey and Pleasington Ward.

Beardwood, Bastwell, Audley and Central wards were first to be announced but there were cheers later as Labour took two important seats.