THE Conservatives have grabbed overall control of Worcester City Council for the first time since 2011 after a dramatic set of polling results.

During today's tense count at the Guildhall the Tories triumphed in the crucial seat of Claines and successfully defended every other seat, giving it the 'magic number' of 18 to run the city without any outside help.

In the count:

- Conservative Councillor Allah Ditta held onto his Cathedral seat by 139, squeezing past a fierce challenge from Labour in the city's surprise result

- The key battleground in Claines saw Tory newcomer Andy Stafford score a sensational victory, defeating Lib Dem Mel Allcott by 1,099 votes

- Labour defended their strongholds like St John's and Nunnery but failed to make any fresh breakthroughs elsewhere

- The Greens failed to take St Stephen by a mere 92 votes, a result which required a recount before Tory Gareth Jones could celebrate

The outcome means the Tories' new tally of 18 seats, from 35 in total, will allow it to govern without any deals being struck, as Labour remain on 15, the Greens stay on one and there is one independent, Councillor Alan Amos.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, city council leader, said: "It's a fantastic result for us and for the city of Worcester, it means we can implement the plan we set out with.

"We know exactly what we intend to deliver on, we've got our Corporate Plan, and with things like freezing council tax, investment in the riverside, freezing parking charges, we can press on."

Labour group leader Councillor Adrian Gregson said: "What's happened nationally had an impact on the local elections.

"In some ways it clarifies the situation in Worcester - it means we know who to blame when it comes to the privatisation of services and lack of social justice."

In the Arboretum ward, Labour's George Squires grabbed 1,209 to keep it, holding off a Tory challenge, with Will Pryce on 910 and a strong Green showing, as Sue Avery grabbed 640 votes.

In Bedwardine, Tory Councillor Marc Bayliss successfully defended his seat with a huge majority of around 1,000, despite rumours earlier in the count that was UKIP was making serious ground.

After Labour came second and UKIP third, he said; "Stories of my demise were circulating earlier today, for me a 1,000 majority is comfortable enough."

But one of the big stories of the day was Cathedral, where Councillor Ditta clung on by 139 votes to secure a fresh four-year term after a long battle with Labour candidate Adam Scott.

Councillor Ditta, whose result was the final one to be read out, said: "They always leave the best to last - this election was won as a team with all the hard work everyone put in.

"The real winner is Robin (Walker, Worcester MP), he came up trumps for me."

On Thursday night, while the General Election results were being counted up, he said he felt he had lost.

In Claines, the Lib Dems were left bruised after losing its one remaining city council seat to Tory newcomer Andy Stafford.

Lib Dem Liz Smith stepped down last month, with candidate Mel Allcott unable to keep it yellow.

After the result Sue Askin, from Worcester's Lib Dem branch, said: "I think given the national situation which is absolutely very sad, I think she handled it extremely well.

"She’s already expressed a strong wish to me quite firmly that she wants another go next year, so it’s no over - certainly not."

Mr Stafford, 41, who works a project manager in the defence industry said: "I still feel nervous, I'm absolutely delighted.

"We started this campaign a long time ago, really early, I'm really pleased."

The other big story of the day was St Stephen, where Conservative Gareth Jones held off a major Green effort to win by just 92 votes.

After rejoicing at the closest contest, he said: "This is a great result for the St Stephen ward, I'd like to thank all my friends and colleagues."

Elsewhere Labour Councillor Simon Cronin held Nunnery, beating off the challenge of Tory Jenna Mitchell, saying: "I am just delighted the voters have put their trust in me."

In St Clement, where Chris Mitchell also held on by around 700 votes, he said: "The one half of the job was Robin Walker winning last night, this is the other half."

In Warndon Parish North, the Tories held it and welcomed another new arrival, with Alan Feeney replacing Douglas Wilkinson, who stood down.

"I think of myself as a dreamer and an optimist, I think anything with enough hard work can be done," he said.

Labour's Richard Udall held St John's, admitting it was "a bad night for the Labour Party" but said "fairness and tolerance had overcome fear" in his ward.

In St Peter's, Conservative Roger Knight retained his seat, saying he was "humbled" after getting a 1,300 majority, while elsewhere Tory Councillor Lucy Hodgson kept Warndon Parish South.

"This result is for all the hard work of our team," she said.

After the results Louis Stephen, chairman of the Green Party, said he was pleased to have come second in St Stephen and gained ground elsewhere.

"This is a fantastic result for the Green Party," he said.

"This result puts us in good stead for future gains at council level."

UKIP's Richard Delingpole said: "We have suffered because of this first-past-the-post voting system."

WHAT THIS RESULT MEANS FOR THE MAYOR OF WORCESTER

THE Mayor of Worcester is no longer having to prop up the Conservatives as a result of today's city council count.

For the last year Councillor Alan Amos, who quit the Labour Party 12 months ago to become an independent, has been backing a 17-strong minority Tory administration.

Because the Conservatives now hold 18 of the 35 seats, it means they have an overall majority and will not be reliant on outsiders.

Yesterday Cllr Amos, who was present at both the General Election and city council contests, described the outcome as "great news".

Councillor Adrian Gregson, Labour group leader, said: "It's very disappointing that last year we had that shift in balance because of the 'crossing the floor' incident."

One year ago, the decision by Cllr Amos meant Labour were ousted from office after just 12 months in power.

For the full breakdown ward-by-ward, candidate-by-candidate from today click HERE.

To recap on our live coverage from today's city council count, go HERE.