Sweeping changes transformed Oxfordshire as Labour suffered some of its worst defeats at the hands of the Tories in local council elections.

Labour lost its 20-year grip on Oxford and there was humiliation for council leader John Tanner, kicked out by the Greens. He now plans to spend more time on his Abingdon Road allotment.

He managed to put a brave face on it, partying with colleagues into the early hours. But having resigned himself to defeat, Mr Tanner admitted surprise as the scale of the disaster unfolded.

Labour lost six seats and the Lib Dems took five, giving each party 21 councillors. The Greens in Oxford now have eight seats more than anywhere else in the country. The Tories regained control in Cherwell and West Oxfordshire. Former Bicester Mayor John Hanna was among Labour's casualties in Cherwell, where the Tories won seven seats. Labour admitted the Conservatives were "too strong".

And the Tories took 11 of the 17 seats in West Oxfordshire, with party activists claiming MP Shaun Woodward's defection to Labour had upset voters.

Nationally, Labour lost well over 500 seats.

Oxford was one of the first Labour defeats in the country. Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who witnessed John Tanner's 241-vote defeat, said: "Governments always find popularity dwindles mid-term. I acknowledge what has happened and I am certainly taking note." There were some appalling turnouts among voters countywide. Blackbird Leys saw a measly 12.3 per cent of the electorate at polling booths its lowest figure ever while Neithrop, in Banbury, recorded one of the lowest in the country at just 11 per cent.

Martin John, electoral services manager at Oxford City Council, said : "There are a number of reasons. Some think their vote will not make a difference. Others think long-standing councillors will simply walk away with a victory or their particular party will win, and there is no need for them to bother."

Witney MP Shaun Woodward said he was not worried about his own parliamentary seat. He added: "I don't believe this was a protest against me."