LABOUR has increased its majority at Wirral Council in the local elections.

The group gained the Oxton ward at the expense of senior of Libral Democrat Stuart Kelly.

Council leader Phil Davies, re-elected in Birkenhead and Tranmere ward, said: "It's a big vote of confidence in the Labour Party locally. We fought a very good campaign.

"We're the most improved council in the country and I think people appreciate that, against a backcloth of some savage cuts from the Tory government, we've tried successfully to maintain frontline services, bring jobs into the ward and the borough and build houses.

"They’re bread and butter issues.

"We also responded, in Birkenhead, Tranmere and elsewhere to the needs of local residents, for more money to tackle anti-social behaviour and dog fouling, and have frozen Council Tax for another year. All these policies really resonated on the doorstep.

"My priority is maintaining those frontline services.

"It was a very intense campaign, but I'm pleased that Wirral residents have given us a vote of confidence.

"It gives us a mandate to continue with the work we've been doing."

Despite losing Stuart Kelly the Liberal Democrats did manage to fight off Labour in their other safe ward of Eastham, holding it by 817 votes.

Conservative group leader Jeff Green said: "Everyone we sent out to stand in the election came back re-elected, which is great when you consider the undoubtedly poor result for us in the Parliamentary election.

"Having said that, though, all of us are really pleased that the Conservative Party has achieved a majority in the House Of Commons.

"I think it’s a shame that we have lost a fantastic member of Parliament in Esther McVey, who of course had access and could take our concerns to the higher echelons of government.

"Wirral has lost a real champion and we have lost an advocate for our area.

"When you think that we have come through the biggest recession in living history and Labour, nationally, has suffered a crushing defeat, it was an amazing night."

The count at Bidston tennis centre was halted for around half an hour after a Tory party agent fell while walking on to the stage for the New Brighton declaration.

Paramedics were called and Mrs Ann Lavin was taken in a wheelchair to hospital for a check-up.

Wirral Council chief executive Eric Robinson said everyone wished her “a speedy recovery” as he resumed announcing results.

The final results saw a Labour increase by one seat to 39, the Tories stayed the same on 21. Lib Dems now have five seats and the Green Party has one.

Turn out was 69%.