Following yesterday's local election result in Stoke-on-Trent, reporters Iain Robinson and Richard Ault look at how the parties fared and what the result means for the city

TWO years after slumping to one of their worst-ever local election defeats, Labour have defied the odds to bounce back in Stoke-on-Trent.

In 2008, the party emerged from the polls with just 16 of its 23 seats, and was forced to go into opposition for the first time in its history last year.

But Thursday's poll has catapulted Labour back into contention to retake control of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, albeit at the head of a coalition administration.

The party went into the election with just 14 members, amid fears that Mohammed Pervez would become the latest in a long line of group leaders to be rejected at the ballot box.

But as the first votes were being counted at the King's Hall yesterday, it quickly became apparent that a decisive turnaround had occurred.

Despite Labour's gloomy national outlook in the wake of its General Election performance, the party's local membership had plenty to celebrate in Stoke-on-Trent yesterday.

Of the 20 seats being contested, Labour powered to victory in 17, while the Conservatives defended Trentham and Hanford and snatched Weston and Meir North from a humiliated BNP.

As the count progressed, and the scale of the swing became clear, some disconsolate opponents began talking openly about the likelihood of a Labour walkover while recalling the party's 60-seat lock-out of 1997.

Although it fell slightly short of absolute domination, Labour's final tally of 12 gains, five holds and no losses was one of the most emphatic election triumphs the city has seen in recent years.

Given the scale of Labour's fightback, the Conservatives were understandably pleased to gain a solitary seat, while the Liberal Democrats seemed relieved the damage was not more serious.

But it was the BNP, the independents and the non-aligned groups who suffered most at Labour's hands.

The far-right party was defeated in all six seats it contested, even losing sitting councillors Philip Sandland and deputy group leader Anthony Simmonds, as Labour took Bentilee and Townsend and the Tories claimed Weston and Meir North.

The City Independent Group also failed to defend any seats as its numbers were slashed from 15 members to just 11.

Other casualties included the short-lived Stoke-on-Trent Independent Group, comprising Tunstall ward member Lee Wanger and Norton and Bradeley's Sheila Matthews, which was wiped out by Labour.

Summing up his group's performance, Mr Pervez said: "The people have spoken and the BNP bubble has burst. The veil of shame is lifted.

"Labour is proud of the people of Stoke-on-Trent and we will continue to listen to our constituents and to protect frontline services."

Liberal Democrat group leader, Councillor Kieran Clarke, said: "We have proved once again that the BNP can never defend a seat in this city and I hope that will continue."

Council leader Ross Irving, pictured below right, who leads the Conservative and Independent Alliance group, congratulated Mr Pervez on his party's successes, and urged his expanded group to work with other parties to bring political stability to the city.

He said: "I think we all recognise the difficult position that local government find itself in over the next 12 months. It is the duty of all of us to make sure we are fit for purpose to go into the elections in 2011."

Labour's gains have brought a host of new faces into the group, many of whom were contesting their first ever election.

The new blood in the council chamber will include, youth worker, DJ and anti-racism campaigner Matt Wilcox.

The 30-year-old was Stoke-on-Trent's Citizen of the Year in 2007 for his work setting up successful for-profit social enterprise Unity.

Mr Wilcox said: "I'm excited about it. I remember at school always wanting to be a prefect, but I never got to do it. Now I'm a councillor.

"I need to investigate what issues there are."

Labour's new councillor for Fenton is the city Labour Party's chairman, Sarah Hill, who had also applied to stand in the Stoke-on-Trent Central Parliamentary seat after Mark Fisher stepped down.

She said: "I feel great. I think Labour has done really well. So many people have voted and expressed their wish for a Labour council."

Gwen Hassall, who now represents the party in the one-time BNP heartland of Abbey Green, said: "Nationally, we have not done well, but six months ago we weren't given any hope of doing as well as we have.

"Locally, we have done really well but it has been a lot of hard work."