Two thirds of the 30 present to congratulate Coun Cooper on the return of a Conservative councillor to the club were local residents and Conservative doyenne Mrs Edith Gledhill and former councillor Harry Tootell shared in the celebrations with party workers, club members and staff.

Guests welcomed from down the valley included Calderdale Council's leader-elect, Coun Ann McAllister, and Coun Craig Whittaker, the prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Calder Valley seat.

A spokesman said: "Ian's success was a culmination of his hard work, aided by his supporters and the essential votes of fellow Todmordians. Congratulations were received from the local business community with whom Ian has worked over the preceding years.

"Like other voters they too chose a Todmorden resident to represent Todmorden and its neighbouring villages," he said.

Liberal Democrat activists said they were disheartened but not defeated. Candidate Todmorden Town Coun Hilary Myers reflected that it had been a long time since an election in the town had been so closely contested by all three main parties.

"We were aware that the Conservatives were positioning themselves to get a foothold in Todmorden as long ago as last summer. This ward is vital to them strategically as they look ahead to the next General Election.

"We Lib Dems fought a strong campaign to keep them out but were unsuccessful. But as far as I'm concerned this is just a temporary setback."

Colleague Coun Janet Battye, who resisted a robust challenge from the other parties in Calder ward, added: "Although we have been thwarted in one of the local wards we gained two new seats on Calderdale Council in these elections and will continue to be the main opposition to the Conservatives."

As the party's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Calder Valley, Coun Myers said she was still full of fighting spirit.

"I've told the electorate what I stand for and I know I've got a lot of support out there," she insisted.

"I shall continue to raise the issues that are important to Todmorden's future and to hold the Conservatives to account.

"It's now up to them to deliver on their electoral promises.

"The Lib Dems and the people of Todmorden are watching!"

Labour's Steph Booth, who was third, said that while disappointed not to be elected she was pleased to have increased the party's vote by 25 per cent at a difficult time for the party nationally.

She felt it had been "a real bonus to meet so many interesting, warm hearted and friendly people during the campaign."

She added: "My belief, that there is a tremendous sense of community in our town has been confirmed and reconfirmed.

"I look forward to continuing to be actively involved in and supporting future, positive developments in Todmorden."

British National Party candidate in Todmorden, Chris Jackson, polled more than 400 votes.