Clarke: disappointed

Thursday's local elections delivered mixed results for all three main parties, but were overshadowed by three victories for the BNP.

The BNP confounded its critics by seizing three wards in Burnley.

In Oldham, the far-right party failed to secure any council wards but polled 27 per cent across the council as a whole.

Labour chairman Charles Clarke said he was "disappointed" by the BNP's stronger-than-expected showing.

But he said the wider results showed that the Conservatives were failing to win back public support.

Labour lost control of 13 councils, including Lambeth, Norwich and Doncaster - but took control in four councils.

Labour managed to fend-off an aggressive Tory campaign in Hastings but lost control of John Prescott's Hull fiefdom.

Labour insiders appear relieved at the result - after fearing that the Tories could have capitalised on its recent woes.

Charles Clarke said the result was a vote of confidence in the government.

"This has been a very strong performance from Labour, following a positive campaign in which we have set out our agenda of investing in strong communities and safer streets," he said.

"Five years into a Labour government, these results show that voters still retain their trust in Labour councils to work in partnership with the Labour government."The Tories lost control of six councils, but made 15 gains - increasing their total number of councillors by 200.

Iain Duncan Smith's troops seized back Enfield Council in north London, but saw Eastbourne fall to the Lib Dems.

Peterborough, Adur, Swale and Wokingham returned to the Tory fold.

The Conservatives topped the poll in percentage terms, securing 35 per cent of votes cast.

But Labour came a close second, polling 34 per cent, with the Lib Dems polling 26 per cent.

Shadow foreign secretary and deputy Tory leader Michael Ancram denied that the results showed that Duncan Smith was failing to win back disaffected Tories.

"We have a right to be pleased about the results. It was a workmanlike performance. We are making steady progress in the seats we need to win back," he said.

Tory frontbencher Damian Green said the results were "perfectly respectable".

It was a night of mixed fortunes for the Lib Dems, who were hit by a nationwide swing back to Labour.

Whilst the party lost overall control in David Blunkett's Sheffield backyard, it took control in Charles Clarke's Norwich stomping ground.

Charles Kennedy's army also lost control of Richmond, which was taken back by the Tories although his party seized Cheltenham and Eastbourne.

Kennedy said he was upbeat about the result. "We are continuing to make advances against both Labour and the Conservatives in many areas," he said.

"These results look like very bad news for the Conservatives. There is no sign of any revival under Iain Duncan Smith. They are doing less well than under William Hague."

Despite fears of a low turnout, more than one in three voters cast their vote yesterday, with areas using postal vote systems recording substantially increased voter participation

In areas operating full postal votes, ballots were up by 28 per cent.

Areas operating electronic voting recorded a five per cent increase in turnout, whilst on-line internet polls recorded an increase in turnout of just one per cent.