LABOUR has extended its grip on power in Tyne and Wear’s councils.

Voters went to the polls on Thursday to elect one third of their local council.

Labour did well at the expense of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, partners in the coalition Government of David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

But the turn-out was generally poor, and was just 32.6 per cent overall in Sunderland, often lower in individual wards.

In Sunderland, Labour won eight seats from the Conservatives, one from the Independents and ousted the council’s sole Liberal Democrat representative.

Labour now has 64 councillors, the Conservatives eight and Independents three.

In North Tyneside Labour took seven Conservative seats and two from the Liberal Democrats.

Labour now holds 44 seats, the Conservatives 12 and the Liberal Democrats four.

After losing his Millfield seat, Paul Dixon blamed the Liberal Democrats’ poor showing on party leader Nick Clegg.

"He has got to open his eyes, take a real good look and realise the damage that he has done,’’ he said.

Labour leader Paul Watson, said: "I think it’s a lot to do with the national policies.

"Sunderland have sent a message to Mr Cameron saying that his policies are hurting but they’re not working."

The Liberal Democrats also lost their only seat on South Tyneside Council. It was one of nine gains by Labour, which now has 48 seats. The Independents have four and the Conservatives and the UK Independence Party have one each.

Labour gained five seats on Gateshead Council while the Liberal Democrats lost four.

Labour now has 55 councillors to the Liberal Democrats’ 11.

The results from Newcastle, where there is also a referendum on whether to have an elected mayor, have yet to be announced.