It gives the Lib Dems clear control of Prescot Town Council, with Mike Wynn succeeding the late Eric Byron, former Mayor of Prescot, in Prescot North West and Jean Waring elected unopposed in Prescot Central, a gain from Labour following the removal of former Councillor Williams for non-attendance.

Cllr Ian Smith, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a tremendous morale victory for the Lib Dems ahead of the Borough Council by-election on January 4, 2001.  It is quite clear neither the Tories nor the Labour party give a damn about the people of Prescot if they cannot even be bothered to find candidates to fight two key by-elections.

“And this is the second time this year the Lib Dems have gained a seat in Prescot Central after the removal of Labour representatives for non-attendance.

“They clearly do not want to represent the people of Prescot making their fight for the Borough Council seat a rather hollow one.  This just proves you cannot trust the Labour Party in Prescot.”

But the fight for Eric Byron’s vacant seat on Knowsley Borough Council will be a three-way contest between the three main parties, even though the Tories and the Labour Party failed to field candidates for the Town Council seats.

The Liberal Democrats candidate is Mike Wynn, who, with his wife Frances – also a Town Councillor – and daughter Sarah, have lived in Hope Street, Prescot, for more than 25 years.

“The Tories did not even field a candidate in Prescot in May’s Borough elections and yet they have had the cheek to call this by-election.  They are a disgrace and this is nothing short of an insult to the memory of Eric Byron,” added Smith.

“But we are confident the people of Prescot recognise winners, that only the Lib Dems really care about this community and will elect Mike to succeed Eric in January to complete a tremendous hat trick of victories for both the Lib Dems and the people of Prescot.”