SOUTHAMPTON'S Conservatives were celebrating today after stealing two council seats from Labour and the Liberal Democrats in the city's local election.

Labour's Simon Letts lost his Freemantle ward to Tory Michael Ball and the Lib Dems' Anne Work lost her Bitterne Park ward.

The Liberal Democrats remain the largest single party on the council and will still be running the city's affairs.

They now have 18 seats to the Labour group's 15 and the Tories' 14. But the Lib Dems have lost one councillor in the shape of Chris Proctor who quit the group during the election and is now an Independent.

Labour's Harry Mitchell, sheriff of the city, also lost his Coxford seat to the Lib Dems.

Labour leader June Bridle, who won a closely-fought contest in Sholing by 84 votes, said: "I actually managed to win a few years ago by even less of a margin than that. It was a local campaign and it was about local issues."

She acknowledged that a challenge from the United Kingdom Independence Party, who garnered 657 votes in the contest, had probably saved her seat.

"It is very disappointing to lose two good councillors, one of which is the Sheriff. But when you look at the national picture we have done remarkably well."

Tory deputy leader Cllr Royston Smith also acknowlegded that the UKIP vote had probably prevented the party from capturing Cllr Bridle's Sholing seat. He said: "We would, no doubt, do a lot better if we hadn't had to face the UKIP."

Cllr Smith said that the Conservatives, who now have 14 council seats, were bouncing back. "I think it is a good result," he added. "We will be looking to gain more next time."

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Adrian Vinson said that the campaign had been fought on local issues such as the state of the city's roads and pavements, and council tax.

He said: "We fought a strong, positive campaign and I am delighted to say that this has been recognised by the electorate. I am delighted we have won back Coxford but disappointed we did not hold Bitterne Park.

"Clearly we have held our position and in a number of wards strengthened it. Clearly the council tax was an issue.

"People do remember last year's 19 per cent council tax under Labour and they are aware Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a fairer system of local government finance.

"I believe our message on anti-social behaviour and roads were very well received."

l Winchester Liberal Democrats today suffered a terrible election, losing overall control of the city council for the first time in years.

The jubilant Conservatives made four gains and further success was prevented by the crucial intervention of the UKIP.

Today, council leader Sheila Campbell vowed to try to form a new administration even though the council is now hung. The Lib Dems remain the largest party.

FOR MORE ELECTION RESULTS SEE TODAY'S DAILY ECHO.