The council remains without overall control, with its make-up now Labour 27, independents 15, Lib Dems 12 and Conservatives nine, although the authority will continue to be run by the mayor, who saw two members of his cabinet lose their seats.

Deputy mayor Margaret Ward, who represented Edlington and Warmsworth, was ousted by independent Ray Mullis while neighbourhood and housing spokesman Pat Haith lost her Great North Road seat to independent Deborah Hutchinson.

Mr Winter said his opponents had campaigned against his cabinet members and had been successful in "getting two scalps", but drew attention to Labour's win in Hatfield, unseating independent Jessie Credland.

He added: "There has been a strong anti-Labour campaign and a strong anti-mayor campaign, but I think people have voted on the local issues. Margaret Ward has been a fantastic colleague, is a close personal friend and has been very loyal to me... I think there was a general national picture of mid-term doldrums and people were wanting to give the Labour Party a bit of a kick, but I don't think that people are unhappy with the mayoral system in Doncaster."

Overall, independents gained one seat while Labour lost two. The Tories took one seat from the independents in Sprotborough while the Lib Dems held their three seats in the Bessacarr and Cantley, Mexborough and Town Moor wards.

After winning Balby from Labour, new independent councillor Mark Thompson criticised the mayor and said: "Let's hope this offers a change in the system we have here in Doncaster. I am not a political animal, but now I have chance to complain about it from the inside."

In recent weeks, Mayor Winter has been the subject of speculation that he is to stand as an independent in mayoral elections next May. He has admitted holding meetings with leaders of the Tory, Lib Dem and independent groups, prompting rumours he is looking to form a cross-party cabinet. He dismissed the claims as "mischief", adding: "I am looking forward to being the Labour candidate for the next mayoral term."