Coun. Ahmed has been a county councillor for four years representing Brierfield and the Nelson wards of Bradley and Whitefield, and a borough councillor representing Brierfield for five.

He officially jumped from the Liberals to Labour on Tuesday when a statement was put out by leader of the Labour group Coun. Mohammed Iqbal.

Coun. Ahmed said: "I have been involved with the Liberal Democrats for more than 10 years and it is sad the party I joined has been taken over by people who are self-centred and only interested in their own gains at the expense of residents living in Pendle.

"While there are some genuine councillors in the party, it is led by a handful of people who have no respect for the residents we are elected to represent. There are deep divisions within the Lib Dems in Pendle and the only people who are suffering are the residents, which is not fair.

"I have been impressed by the work of Labour in Lancashire over the past years and have seen for myself the commitment to improving quality of life for all people in the county."

He finishes: "The results of the local elections in May demonstrate the Lib Dems are in a state of meltdown but are too busy fighting each other behind closed doors to take any notice."

Deputy leader of the Labour group in Pendle, Coun. George Adam, said: "Nawaz joining the ranks of the Labour group in Pendle is a tremendous boost for us and undoubtedly another nail in the coffin of the Lib Dems in Pendle."

The leader of the political party he has just deserted and leader of the council, Coun. John David, said: "It is always sad to lose a colleague, but, frankly, Nawaz has been a big disappointment and we have been very unhappy with his performance.

"He must have realised we would not be selecting him as our candidate for council elections next year. Regrettably, I have to say our group will be stronger without him."