LABOUR kept a firmgrip on Blaenau Gwent in the council elections last night.

The Liberal Democrats and the Independent group had both expressed high hopes of significantly reducing Labour's majority this year.

Nationally the party lost more than 200 council seats and came third overall.

It also lost control in Swansea and could face sharing power in Cardiff, where a count was continuing today.

Labour lost six seats in Newport and counting in Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Caerphilly was starting today.

In Blaenau Gwent the party lost just one seat, with the Liberal Democrats also losing one and the Independents gaining two.

The make-up of the council is now 31 Labour, eight Independents and three Liberal Democrats.

The first results were announced at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre just before 2am this morning while the last ward, Cwmtillery, was declared at 4.30am

Council leader John Hopkins said afterwards he was extremely pleased with the result overall. "It has been a difficult time for the Labour Party but the electorate has decided that what is best for them is a Labour-controlled council,' he said.

He added: "We are an improving council and I look forward with some pride to continuing as leader, if that is what the Labour group decides.:

Councillor Des Hillman, the leader of the Independents, told the Argus his group had not done as well as he thought they would.

"We lost one member, but picked up three new ones so we are pleased. We will just have to work a bit harder and hope to get more again next time," he added.

Councillor Brian Thomas, the Liberal Democrat leader, admitted it had been a disappointing evening.

"People decided to vote Labour no matter what," he said.