LABOUR chiefs are investigating a number of 'concerns' following the controversial selection of candidates which saw six councillors axed.

The party reshuffle on January 30 confirmed who would be standing at the all-out borough election in May but many have been angered by the final list.

Members have complained to party bosses, while fears over votes being 'influenced by outsiders' have cast a dark shadow over the situation.

It is believed the deselection of the three Bewsey and Whitecross councillors, two of whom were moved to other wards, was in part due to mistakes by party officials surrounding the new ward boundaries drawn up by Government.

It led to problems with allocating members to the correct ward in order for them to vote, while some never got the chance to do so.

There was also a delay of more than three hours because of the 'confusion'.

Cllr Kate Hannon, portfolio holder for leisure, community and culture, was deselected from the Orford seat she has held since 1997 days after burying her granddaughter, in favour of Morgan Tarr.

But in the days following the decision calls have been made on Twitter for Mr Tarr, who works in Helen Jones office, to step down.

Labour North West has confirmed the ward selections are being scrutinised to ensure the correct process was carried out.

A spokesman said: "Following the local government candidate selections in Warrington some concerns have been raised about the process and are these are being fully investigated."

It has also been confirmed that re-running a selection process will only happen when it is 'clear' the result could have been 'impacted' by an error.

Rixton and Woolston councillor Paul Bretherton admitted he has suffered a 'range of emotions' since he was stunned with deselection at Orford Jubilee Neighbourhood Hub last month.

As part of a shift to greater gender quality it was required that at least one seat in every two and three-member ward be contested by a female candidate.

It saw Cllr Pat Wright (LAB – Bewsey and Whitecross) deselected from her current ward before being placed in Rixton and Woolston.

But despite the disappointment Cllr Bretherton, 44, is determined to battle on and continue serving his residents until May.

He said: "I am devastated, bewildered and angry.

"I was elected for the first time in 2007 and have since increased my majority in elections.

"I was re-elected last May and am extremely disappointed at not being able to get the chance to stand – it is a kick in the teeth.

"People in the area have been in contact and they feel short-changed.

"I feel the policy on gender balance is important but it has been implemented badly.

"There has to be a change on how it is done, with possibly residents choosing who is able to stand.

"There is so much work we have got through here but there is also so much to do.

"It is difficult now but I won't walk away I have a mandate. It is too early to say if I will attempt to stand again, I am quite wounded.

"I was born and raised in a school in the Woolston area which makes it more difficult. My family were also taken aback, they did not expect it."

The final Labour candidates for the borough council elections have now been selected.

Cllr Andy Heaver (LAB – Great Sankey North), who was initially deselected, will contest the Grappenhall ward, which takes the number of deselected councillors down to six, while David Cockayne will battle in Lymm South.