• For the full results click here.

THE Conservative Party has lost overall control of Worcester City Council in one of the most dramatic election counts in the authority’s history.

The party suffered shock defeats in two key seats, while Labour made three gains in a torrid night for the Coalition Government.

The Green Party also elected their first ever city councillor in St Stephen, leaving the future of the entire authority hanging in the balance.

In the night’s other big result, Worcester’s Liberal Democrats lost party leader Sue Askin in Claines as she polled 65 votes less than the Tories' Mike Whitehouse.

The outcome, which left some Tory canvassers in tears, means frantic talks will take place over the coming days over future control of the council.

The results mean the Conservatives have 17 councillors compared to 15 Labour, two Lib Dem and one Green based on a city-wide average turnout of 30 per cent.

For the first time ever, there is a possibility a Lab-Lib-Green Coalition could deprive the Tories of power in Worcester.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader, who retained his seat in St Clement from Labour by 191 votes, said: “It’s been a tough night for us and my thoughts are with those councillors who lost their seats.

“There has been some unrest over the Coalition Government and I think that’s affected the result - this leaves us in a situation where we have lost overall control, but we are still the largest party.

“We will have to take stock of the situation and see where it leaves us in terms of doing a deal, but my starting point for negotiations would be that we are still the single biggest party, I need to be clear on that.”

The Tories worst result was in Cathedral, where Francis Lankester, a former deputy leader and cabinet member, with 13 years experience on the authority, was ousted by Labour’s Lynn Denham.

Coun Denham got 1,057 votes compared to 997 for Mr Lankester, leading to jubilant celebrations from Labour.

Mr Lankester said: “It’s obviously very disappointing, we put everything into the campaign and I expected it to be close, but it was a real privilege to represent the people of Cathedral and this administration has done a lot for the city, there's been some real improvements such as the riverside, we've managed to freeze council tax and parking charges, we can be proud of our record."

Coun Denham said: “I am absolutely thrilled and overwhelmed - we have sent a message out to the Coalition Government.”

The Conservatives were also left smarting in St Stephen, where Keith Burton was defeated by the Green Party’s Neil Laurenson in one of the country’s biggest upsets.

He pulled in 720 votes compared to 442 from the Tories, a result even senior Green Party figures were not expecting.

He said: “This is a tribute to Green Party politics, the first time we have ever got a councillor in Worcester - I want to thank each and every person who voted for me.”

Elsewhere, two key seats left vacant following the retirement of two independents both went to Labour early on in the count, leaving rival parties devastated.

Christine Cawthorne won in St John with a huge 500 majority over the Tories’ Neill Bucktin, while in Nunnery Labour’s Richard Boorn triumphed with 1,011 votes compared to 554 from Conservative Neil Monkhouse.

Coun Cawthorne said: “I am so happy, this is a major result for us.”

Both wards were up for grabs after Mike Layland and Margaret Layland stepped down.

In Claines, which up until now was a Liberal Democrat stronghold, Sue Askin lost her seat to the Tories.

Mrs Askin, who was the party’s leader, got 1,117 votes, but even that high number was not enough as a major Tory canvassing effort resulted in Mike Whitehouse getting 1,182.

He said: “I am delighted the people of Claines have backed me and want to thank each and every one of them.”

In other results, Councillor Joy Squires held onto Arboretum, as did Tory Robert Rowden in Battenhall.

Conservative Councillor Derek Prodger retained in Bedwardine, while Councillor Roger Berry did likewise for Labour in Gorse Hill.

Coun Berry said: “This sends a message out to the Government that their policies are affecting people’s lives.”

In Rainbow Hill, Labour Councillor and party leader Adrian Gregson retained his seat, and in Wardon Councillor Alan Amos did likewise.

Following the count, Coun Gregson said: “This goes to show how two years into the Coalition Government, the whole thing is falling apart.

“We now need to take a step back and look at the situation for this council. This shows the majority of people out there do not want the Conservatives in control.”

Worcester’s Conservative MP Robin Walker said: “I was pleased with the result in Claines, we did very well to win there, and we are disappointed with the councillors we have lost tonight.

“We are still the biggest party on the city council and will have to go forward and continue with the good work which is being done.”

Coun Squires, who is Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Worcester at the next General Election, said: “This has been a great night for Labour - getting Cathedral is the icing on the cake.”

• For the full results click here.