LIBERAL Democrats and Conservatives in Warrington say they are ‘ready to face difficult decisions’ after agreeing a pact to keep control of Warrington Town Hall.

Despite a disappointing set of local election results which saw both parties lose seats to Labour - they won a crunch ballot at Warrington Town Hall on Monday by two votes.

While Labour had the largest number of seats following the elections, the Lib Dems and Tories have again agreed a pact, keeping them in control of the council as they have been since 2006.

Clr Ian Marks was faced with cries of ‘disgrace’ as he gave a speech and Labour politicians have accused the two parties of selfishiness.

But Clr Marks said: “We are proud of what we have done in the last four years and we would opting out, chickening out if we walked away.

“We are prepared to face difficult decisions.”

He reflected on closures of both Woolston High School and Longbarn Primary since they took power - both areas where Labour won seats from the Lib Dems.

“If we had not done that, it may have altered the results.”

He also said holding the local elections on the same day as the General Election has ‘skewed’ the results and turned traditional Lib Dem voters in the town to the other two parties.

Monday’s ballot was so close that Clr Bob Timmis was called back from his holiday to make sure the Lib Dems had the numbers to win.

Clr Marks said ‘one or two’ colleagues had doubts about the deal but was sure it was the right thing for Warrington.

“We wanted to continue the job we started, rather than opting out.”