THE Lib Dems secured a second term in charge of Durham City Council yesterday, after Labour failed to make any significant headway in regaining an authority once considered rock solid territory.

The Lib Dems' capture of the city, which had been ruled by Labour for decades, was one of the big surprises of the last election.

But any lingering Labour hopes that the 2003 result was a one-off were dashed, as the Lib Dems increased their majority, gaining one seat to bring their total to 30, while Labour were unchanged on 17 and the Independents went down from four to three.

Council leader Fraser Reynolds said: "I am absolutely delighted with the result. In the past four years we have achieved a hell of a lot and this is an endorsement for our hard work.

"The people have voted us back in and it is a seal of approval for what we have done."

Carol Woods, cabinet member for the environment and leisure, said: "We are very happy. We have gained a seat overall and maintained the majority of our seats.

"We think that shows that the people of Durham are happy with the way we are running the council."

The Lib Dems won Deerness ward's two seats, previously held for Labour by former Mayor Eileen Rochford and David Cummings, who left the party following a suspension wrangle.

There was consolation for Labour in winning back three seats in Pelaw and Gilesgate, two from the Liberal Democrats and one from an Independent.

One of the victorious candidates, Peter Mitchell, 24, said: "It was a difficult time nationally as well as locally. It has been a mixed bag.

"We are really encouraged by Pelaw and Gilesgate, particularly with the turnout. Voters were very positive about Labour and they saw that we were trying to get things done.''