THE election has rung the death knell for the Labour party in Eastleigh.

The group were stripped of their last remaining seat by the ruling Lib Dems.

Former Labour councillor Pete Luffman was brought in to try and defend the position which was, until this election, valiantly defended by councillor Brian Norgate.

However, he narrowly lost out to Lib Dem Paul Bicknell.

Local Election Results

• Southampton
• New Forest
• Eastleigh
• Test Valley
• Winchester

This is the first time Labour has been without a seat since the borough council was set up in 1936.

Bucking the national trend the Lib Dems took all 14 positions - a gain of three.

The party turned out in force to watch the count including leader Keith House.

Energy and climate change minister Chris Huhne turned out with his partner Carina Trimingham - who at the last general election appeared with him and his family as his aide.

Council leader Keith House said: “We didn't know what to expect, we have had some doors slammed in our faces on the campaign trail.

“I am never completely confident of the result because we don't take the voters for granted.

“I think the fact we listen is the reason for this victory - we always want to do things better.”

The biggest potential scalp cabinet member Peter Wall romped to victory with slightly more than 40 percent of the vote.

The make-up of the council is now 38 Lib Dems, four conservatives and two members of the Independent Party of Eastleigh Councillors.

These two councillors Glynn Davies-Dear and Dave Broughton defected from the Lib Dems shortly before the election saying they objected to national decisions made by the party including tuition fees.