LABOUR has retained Hartlepool Borough Council after the local elections saw a third of seats up for grabs.

The party lost one seat, but gained another from the 11 on offer, retaining its majority on the council.

Council leader Christopher Akers-Belcher said: “The hard work starts now.”

The only party to make a gain was Putting Hartlepool First. Its candidate Sue Little won in the Seaton ward with 1,287 votes – the highest number gained by any candidate in the town.

She said: “People aren’t interested in party politics they are more interested in what people can do for their town.”

The new councillor said she would campaign to remove controversial parking charges introduced by the council on the seafront at Seaton Carew.

The independent group remains the second biggest party on the council. Overall turnout was just 24 per cent.