The National Front vowed to put up candidates in all Bicester wards in next year's elections.

The party opened a branch in the town earlier this year. Last night its first Cherwell District Council candidate, James Starkey, got 142 votes.

He said: "I'm the only one in Oxfordshire. If I'd started this off earlier we would have had a lot more people standing in the wards.

"Next year we'll have somebody in each of the five wards. We're here to stay."

But Les Sibley (Lab) said: "I think voters took the opportunity to let the main parties know that people can come forward with a single issue. It wasn't a large vote. I don't think people have given them any encouragement to come back again. Hopefully they'll just disappear."

Overall Labour took two seats from the Conservatives on Bicester Town Council.

John Hanna (Lab), who was beaten by eight votes last year by Anthony Kempton (Con), this year celebrated by beating Mr Kempton by 44 votes, with 542 to 498. Mr Sibley now holds seats on the town, county and district councils.

The Lib Dems picked up two seats and Labour gained one on the district council. The Tories, who control the council, dropped three seats. Richard Makepeace (Lib Dem) ousted Terence Miall (Con) in Astons and Heyfords, Paul Evans (Lib Dem) took Yarnton, Gosford, and Water Eaton from Maurice Billington (Con).

But the Tories in Banbury were cock-a-hoop after a recount gave newcomer John Back the Grimsbury and Castle ward from Labour, for the first time in more than 20 years.

Before the polls the Tories held 37 seats, Labour 11, Lib Dems 2. Now, the Tories hold 34 seats, Labour 12, and Lib Dems 4.