JUST one seat separated the ruling Conservatives and Labour when the time came for the last result of the evening to be declared.

And though the Conservatives' alliance with the two independents meant it was always likely that the Tories would retain control, there was still a sense of anticipation that the two leading groups could end up evenly matched.

Indeed, at one point rumours swept the building that Labour had unseated the Conservative deputy leader Sue MacPherson, but in the end she was declared the winner by more than 300 votes.

In some way it was an anti-climax after an evening of tension, but councillor MacPherson was happy to get the verdict.

She said: "I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who helped me. I will continue to work hard for the people of the Homesteads."

Result:

Suzanne MacPherson (Con) 1,203

Anthony Sharp (Lab)901

Paul Woodley (BNP) 542

Maj 302

Con hold

Turnout 40%