LOUD cheers broke out in Town Hall as Labour bucked national predictions and strengthened its hold again on Oxford City Council.

A triumphant win in this year's elections saw it snatch two seats from the Green Party in closely fought battles for Iffley Fields and Holywell, with the results announced yesterday.

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats safely held all their seats, increasing majorities in their North Oxford strongholds, but the Conservatives and UK Independence Party failed once more to make a breakthrough.

It cemented Labour’s commanding presence on the city council at a time when fears were raised nationally that Jeremy Corbyn's leadership would dent support.

The party now controls 35 out of 48 seats, with the Lib Dems staying at eight and the Greens reduced to four.

Marston’s independent councillor Mick Haines also comfortably held his seat, fending off a Labour challenge from Nick Walker.

One of the most dramatic results was at Iffley Fields, a ward heavily canvassed by the Green Party and Labour.

Veteran Green candidate Elise Benjamin secured 961 votes, but there were shocked faces and roars of approval from Labour supporters when their candidate Steve Curran narrowly won with 1,015 votes.

Speaking after the result, Ms Benjamin – who has been on the council since 1999 – said she had been "inundated with support from residents" but claimed she was "outvoted by people thinking about national issues".

The mum-of-one added: "I had a feeling it would be close, but I still hoped I would keep my seat."

Labour's other gain in Holywell also saw Dan Iley-Williamson secure 451 votes, with Green candidate Fiona Joines pushed into third with 265 votes behind Lib Dem Andy McKay with 283.

Labour group deputy leader Ed Turner, who said his own victory in Rose Hill and Iffley brought tears to his eyes, said his party’s resounding victory was “beyond our wildest expectations”.

He added: "It is confirmation that we are fantastic, diverse, liberal city and people want to help make it a fairer and more equal place."

Liberal Democrat leader Jean Fooks said: "The results were very encouraging for us and showed the threat from the Green Party was wildly exaggerated."