LABOUR has taken overall control of Stockton Borough Council.

The final figures are Labour 32 councillors; Conservatives, 13; Ingleby Barwick Independent Society(IBIS), 5; Thornaby Independent Association (TIA), 3; other Independents, 2 and Liberal Democrats, 1.

Previously the Labour group worked with IBIS but todayFRI,MAY8, leader of the council, Bob Cook, confirmed the party would govern alone.

There were some big surprises as the results started to come through thick and fast in the mid-afternoon at the country in Thornaby Pavilion.

Leader of TIA, Steve Walmsley, who had stood for parliament, lost his seat to a Labour candidate. Mark Chatburn, the council's only Ukip member,  failed in his bid for re-election and the Liberal Democrats' long-term decline continued. The party now only has one seat. IBIS also lost one councillor while TIA lost two.

Labour's number of councillors increased from 27 to 32 and the Conservatives from 12 to 13.

Very well-known veteran councillors retired at the election, including former Labour council leader, Bob Gibson, former Conservative leader and leader of the council, Ken Lupton and veteran Liberal Democrat, Maureen Rigg.

But a new generation started to emerge. Lauriane Povey, a Durham University student, was elected in Billingham North despite being aged just 19. She may be the youngest councillor in the country.

Following the result Bob Cook described his emotions as "bitter sweet." He said: "Of course, I'm pleased about our results on the council but the national (political) picture isn't what we wanted.

"I think we've had recognition from our residents about what we've so far been able to achieve and how we're trying to bring the borough forward by attracting investment."

Cllr Ben Houchen, leader of the main opposition Conservative Group, argued the new authority lacked legitimacy because the south of borough did not vote Labour, as evidenced by the re-election of Stockton South MP James Wharton with a big, 5,000, majority.

He said: "James' 5,000 majority shows that Labour have a real problem with legitimacy in the south of the borough. I voted in the Yarm referendum last year to  leave the borough and go into Yorkshire. I think we need a full boundary review of the council"