LABOUR and the independents are to contest a seat on Brynmawr town council next week - in the first election in Blaenau Gwent since Peter Law's general election victory in May.

A by-election for the Brynmawr north ward is being held on June 30, after Labour councillor Christopher Williams resigned his seat.

If Labour loses the seat to the independent candidate, then they will also lose their majority on the council.

Peter Law, the AM for Blaenau Gwent, left Labour and stood as an independent against Labour candidate Maggie Jones in protest at all-women shortlists imposed on the constituency.

Despite the seat previously being the safest in Wales, he won by more than 9,000 votes.

Now next week's by-election is sure to be watched with interest as independent candidate Kevin Brown stands against Labour's Olwen Swales.

Of 16 town council seats, seven are now independent - after Labour councillors Ian and Megan Morgan left the party to became independents due to the all-women shortlist controversy - and eight seats are Labour.

But one of the Labour councillors is currently on leave of absence due to ill-health - meaning that if Mr Brown takes the vacant seat, then the independents will have a majority.

Sue Ball, independent town councillor, said: "It would be the first time that there would be an independent party in power in Brynmawr.

"It seems people are now voting for the person rather than the party - as shown with what happened in the general election recently."

But the town council's Labour chairman, Keith Jenkins, said they were confident of keeping the seat and their majority on the town council.

"Canvassing is showing good responses and we hope that it will flourish and those who are saying they will vote for Olwen will keep their promise," he said.

"She is an experienced councillor and very popular in the town."

*The polling station will be Ysgol Gymraeg Brynmawr, in King Street, and the polling hours are 8am to 9pm. The count will also be held at the school.