LABOUR leaders are to consult party members on whether to take control of Stoke-on-Trent City Council.

The party faces a major dilemma following its strong performance in last week's local elections, when it won 17 seats and increased in size from 14 to 26 councillors.

Group leader councillor Mohammed Pervez is understood to have been planning to remain in opposition in the run-up to next year's all-out elections and city boundary changes.

But he is now facing mounting pressure from political opponents to replace Tory council leader Ross Irving and form either a minority administration or a Labour-led coalition.

On Wednesday, The Sentinel reported Mr Irving had offered to step down and hand over key cabinet posts to Labour, but had not received any response from the party.

Mr Pervez said last night that his group has already met twice to discuss a way forward, and now plans to consult party members.

He hinted no final decision will be made this week.

He said: "The Labour group executive met on Wednesday to continue discussions around the future governance of our city.

"We are holding a meeting with the wider Labour Party membership in the city on Saturday."