The Liberal Democrats officially took control of Oxford City Council for the first time last night - and immediately unveiled their "magnificent seven".

The Town Hall's new-look decision-making executive is made up of 10 councillors - seven Lib Dems, two Labour and one Green.

It is the first time in 25 years that a single political group other than Labour has run the city council.

And there was double cause for Lib Dem celebration as Jim Campbell was made the party's first Lord Mayor of Oxford.

New council leader John Goddard said: "Being elected leader is an honour and an opportunity and for us Lib Dems we have three guiding lights.

"Firstly, none of us can afford to forget the challenge of climate change.

"Oxford City Council is a weak council and improvements are needed across the board and we look for support from other political groups in achieving this.

"We will deliver what we have promised and with cooperative, constructive support, we can do that."

It was widely predicted the Lib Dems would run the council with a minority administration following their success in the city council elections earlier this month.

Green group leader Craig Simmons had urged councillors to back his idea of a so-called "traffic light coalition" on the executive, which would have had a football-style formation of four Lib Dem councillors, four Labour and two Green.

He said: "People are telling us to work together. Let's make sure we do it on the executive board where the real decisions are made."

However, outside his eight-member group, the idea received no support.

There were several surprises in the Lib Dem line-up, notably the presence of Patrick Murray, the 25-year-old Barton and Sandhills councillor.

Six years ago Mr Murray, the new executive member for improving housing, was sleeping rough as one of the city's homeless. He described his new job as a "great challenge".

David Rundle, 36, is deputy council leader with responsibility for stronger communities, Alan Armitage - a member of the executive board in the previous Labour administration - has been made portfolio holder for healthier environment,while Jean Fooks, 66, has been given the job of cleaner city.

Stephen Tall, 29, head of fundraising at St Anne's College, has been made executive member for better finances, while lawyer Caroline van Zyl, a 37-year-old mother-of-three, is portfolio holder for safer city.

The non-portfolio Labour executive board members will be Dan Paskins and Antonia Bance, while Matt Sellwood will represent the Green group.

Meanwhile, at yesterday's annual mayor making ceremony, Labour city councillor Mary Clarkson was confirmed as Deputy Lord Mayor and Susanna Pressel as Sheriff.