A NEWLY elected UKIP councillor has promised to “stir things up” with the Labour party that he used to represent.

Sean Hornby narrowly won back his council seat in Little Lever and Darcy Lever, ousting Labour veteran Anthony Connell, who had held the council seat for the past 25 years.

The result was only confirmed after a tense recount showed that the former Labour, Conservative and independent candidate was victorious by a narrow margin.

Shortly after winning, Cllr Hornby said he was ready to be “controversial and outspoken” in his new council role and said he will work tirelessly for the residents he now represents.

He added: “I feel absolutely delighted and overwhelmed — it is nice to get back on Bolton Council and to represent the community that I have lived in for my whole life.

“There is a lot to do now — in this election campaign people have told me that they have had enough, they want change, they are fed up of being taken for granted and they want more money being spent in their area — rather than other areas.”

The 50-year-old’s victory was a stand-out moment for UKIP in an otherwise disappointing day for the party, which failed to land any other council seats.

He joins Cllrs Paul Richardson and Diane Parkinson, who joined the council in last year’s local elections, and believes his victory can be a platform to continue to grow the party in Bolton.

He added: “We have now got three UKIP councillors in Bolton and can look at finding policies and vision for the people of Bolton so we can get more UKIP councillors elected in the future.”

Cllr Hornby paid tribute to outgoing Labour councillor Anthony Connell, who follows his wife Maureen out of the council after she also lost out to UKIP last year.

He said: “I have a lot of respect for Anthony Connell —I wish him well and recognise his dedication to the residents.”

Mr Connell said: “It has been 25 years since I was first elected and I have enjoyed every minute of it — you can’t win them all.

“Like every profession you have good times and bad times but I’ve never been in the position where I have thought 'I wish I had never done it'.”

Labour were hoping to keep their former member out of the authority and were frustrated with the result.

Cllr Hornby left the Labour party following allegations of financial irregularities during his time as party treasurer. Police investigated and no charges were ever brought against him.

Labour's election co-ordinator, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “I’ve got absolutely nothing positive to say about Sean Hornby as a person, whichever party he chooses to stand for.”

For his part, Cllr Hornby said he is looking forward to being a lively presence on Bolton Council, adding: “I will be controversial, yes, I will be outspoken, yes — that’s me.”