GORSEHILL/PINEHURST; LAB HOLD: Labour remained very much in control of their stronghold in the Gorse Hill and Pinehurst ward.

Ray Ballman, took just over 44 per cent of the votes, some 18 per cent in front of her nearest rival, Tory, Halina Roberts who took 27 per cent of the vote.

Coun Ballman said: "I am very pleased with our results and the turn out which is more than three per cent higher than during the previous council election."

Competition had been stiffened by Roy North from the Socialist Alliance whose voters decided to ignore Labour in a protest against Tony Blair.

Coun Ballman, said that much of the improvements in the ward were down to the hard work of the Labour councillors.

She said: "We are now going to continue to try and improve the lives of those living in the Gorse Hill and Pinehurst area by removing litter and poor behaviour from the community."