THE Conservative Party has lost overall control of Worcester City Council - with the prospect of a Labour-Green 'takeover' on the cards for the first time in its history.

A sensational Green victory in Battenhall and a Labour gain in Warndon sparked jubilant scenes, meaning the Tories' two-seat overall majority vanished.

It means:

- The entire Tory leadership could be kicked out of office within 11 days, with Councillor Marc Bayliss facing the boot as leader after just four months in charge

- Labour is in line to wrestle back control for just the second time this century, with Councillor Adrian Gregson potentially restored as city leader after his 12 months in power in 2013

- A Tory bid to hand bin collections, street sweeping and park maintenance to a private firm would be one of the first policies likely to be scrapped

- Worcester City FC's chances of getting a new stadium at Perdiswell could be boosted significantly, with Labour firmly backing it

Just two Green councillors now hold the balance of power, with Neil Laurenson and Louis Stephen the king-makers.

Today's results, which all came in by 2.20am, still leaves the ruling Conservatives the largest party with 17 of the 35 city council seats.

But the Tories losing Warndon and Battenhall means Labour are now up to 16, with the Green duo free to back either side to form an administration.

As the dust settled on the dramatic outcome, Councillor Bayliss admitted his grip on control was likely to crumble.

He said: "We are still the largest party and we'll seek to continue to govern with other parties, if that's possible - but I don't believe there is any possibility of that.

"The Labour and Greens have had a pact at this election, people have been duped over what they are voting for - we'll end up having a Labour administration with Green backing.

"I believe they've been working together throughout this campaign and it appears their grubby little deal is coming to fruition.

"It's a case of 'vote Green, get Labour' - if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck."

An emotional Mr Stephen got 1,081 votes in Battenhall from a whopping 55 per cent turnout, defeating Tory veteran David Tibbutt by 194.

The verdict virtually brought him to tears, as he described it as a "great day" in his life.

"I'm honoured, I'm humbled, and I'm thankful," he said.

"The trust the people of Battenhall have given me is incredible - this is a big day for me."

He also said he would "get some sleep" before considering his next step, insisting he would talk to "all parties" over the next few days.

Elsewhere, the Greens were left jubilant after Councillor Neil Laurenson successfully defended his seat - defeating Tory Jenna Mitchell by 336 votes.

He said: "I'd like to thank so many people - with the support of the public and Worcester Green Party members, I wouldn't be stood here now."

Elsewhere, Labour held its key seat in Cathedral despite Councillor Lynn Denham not being at the count after being diagnosed with bowel cancer two weeks ago.

She has had a tumour successfully removed in hospital, meaning she was unable to campaign for the last 12 days - but defeated Conservative rival Barry MacGhabhann by 581 votes in a stunning verdict.

A statement read out on her behalf said: “I’m sorry I can’t be here in person, I want to thank everybody who has worked so hard.

“Most of all, thank you to every single person who voted today, who went out and took the trouble to put a cross in a box next to a party label and made a choice.

“Thank you for choosing me as Cathedral ward councillor for another four years.

"I’m unable to be with you today because I was diagnosed with early stage bowel cancer just over two weeks ago and I have been in hospital.

“My Labour Party friends and colleagues have done an amazing job in my absence.

"I’m back home now and looking forward to getting back to being a councillor in Cathedral Ward and I will see you all again soon.”

Labour also retained Gorse Hill, where veteran Councillor Roger Berry held on despite UKIP coming second, and the party also kept Arboretum, Nunnery, St John's and Warndon.

Councillor Chris Cawthorne, who was re-elected as a Labour councillor for St John's said: “I want to thank all the people who have helped me in this campaign."

Labour group leader Councillor Adrian Gregson, who also successfully defended his Rainbow Hill seat by 336 votes, said he would celebrate first and then talk to the Greens later.

"We'll let the dust settle first and then see what happens," he said.

"The Conservatives are still the largest party, but we've defended all our seats and moved on from the 'murky mayor' saga in Warndon.

"Considering where we were at the General Election 12 months ago it's a remarkable turnaround."

The Conservatives gave the Lib Dems another bloody nose in Claines, with James Stanley defeating Mel Allcott by 237 votes - a resounding verdict.

The Tories also held the St Clement ward where former city council leader Simon Geraghty was up, winning by 248 despite a determined effort from Labour.

He said: "This is the fifth time I've been elected in succession, and I will do what I've always done - serve the people to the best of my ability."

Elsewhere, Bedwardine stayed blue as Councillor Alan Amos managed to win despite switching from Warndon after quitting the Labour Party.

During his election address he sneered at the Worcester News, claiming this newspaper had tried to "tell people how to vote" and said he was the only candidate "pounding the streets" in recent weeks.

The controversial ex-mayor was also sporting a blue Tory rosette with his own face blown up on it.

A new administration will be formed at the Annual Council meeting - including a new Mayor of Worcester - on Tuesday, May 17.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

A NEW council leadership will be voted in on Tuesday, May 17 at the Guildhall alongside a new city mayor, to replace Councillor Roger Knight.

Because there are 35 councillors, it would require a majority of 18 supportive hands in one direction to usher in a fresh administration.

If Labour is to govern it will need to put forward a motion of 'no confidence' in current Tory leader Councillor Marc Bayliss, which would require backing from all 16 of its own councillors and both Greens.

The Conservatives are still the largest party with 17 councillors, meaning it could attempt to govern as a minority administration in the hope the Greens allow it.

It means crucial talks will now take place over the next 10 days behind closed doors ahead of the vote.

But Worcester City Council having 'hung' status is nothing new - in fact all the main parties are well versed on it now.

For the last 12 months the Tories have been in control with an overall majority, but for the three years previous the authority was hung.

GREEN RISE IS LIKE THE SNP, SAYS DISMAYED WORCESTER MP

WORCESTER'S MP has spoken of his "disappointment" at yesterday's election results - taking a swipe at the Greens by comparing them to the Scottish Nationalist Party.

Conservative Robin Walker suggested the city's voters were facing an unwanted Lab-Green pact despite the Tories being the largest party.

He said it mirrors the SNP situation north of the border, claiming it to be an "anti-establishment" vote.

"The Greens appear to be similar to the SNP in Scotland, you've got an anti-establishment vote," he said.

"I didn't expect it - our vote has held up well in some places, but in other places it hasn't held up as well as we'd have liked and that's a little disappointing.

"But our candidates have been incredibly hard working, Claines was a very good victory.

"We'll have to see what happens next but we are still the largest party on the council."

In the aftermath of the results coming in, some other senior city Tories criticised Labour for appearing to 'celebrate' a victory.

Councillor Chris Mitchell, the council's deputy leader, said: "They are celebrating, but they haven't actually won anything.

"They are not back in control yet and we're still the largest party."

He also took to Twitter to express his frustration, saying: "The citizens of Worcester are about to experience 'vote Green get red'."

Labour Warndon Councillor Jo Hodges said: "We'll have to see what happens."

FOUR NEW FACES ON THE CITY COUNCIL

FOUR new councillors have been welcomed in at Worcester City Council - with fresh faces in Claines, Nunnery, Warndon and Battenhall.

James Stanley, who was made the new chairman of Worcester's Conservative Association last month, kept Claines blue after beating Lib Dem Mel Allcott by 236 votes.

He said: "I'd like to thank all the people of Claines for the trust and faith they've put in me."

He replaced ex-Tory Councillor Mike Whitehouse, who stepped down.

In Nunnery after ex-Labour councillor Richard Boorn stood down Tracey Biggs kept it red, beating Tory hopeful Phoenix Jones by an emphatic 729 votes.

Mrs Biggs worked for 33 years as a nurse, midwife and health visitor with the NHS.

She said: "All I can say is to everybody, thank you, I'm absolutely honoured to have been elected as a city councillor for Nunnery."

Elaine Williams is also a new face, taking the Warndon ward for Labour following Tory Councillor Alan Amos' switch to Bedwardine.

A former member of Birmingham City Council, she also used to work in the NHS as a biomedical scientist.

"The Labour Party has been absolutely fantastic, really supportive and they've allowed me to run a fantastic campaign," she said.

"But I'd especially like to thank the residents of Warndon, it's now got two Labour councillors again - and it'll have them for a full term."

The fourth new arrival was Green Louis Stephen, in Battenhall - in a ward where former Tory Councillor Robert Rowden stood down.

* See the full ward results HERE and a picture gallery HERE

* See the Worcester News newspaper tomorrow and Monday for more election reaction and analysis