The British National Party gained two seats from Labour and came second in a further two wards.

John Gamble, who took the seat of Labour mayor Allan Jackson in Brinsworth and Catcliffe by a majority of 61, said the impact of last year's floods may have led to voters becoming dissatisfied with Labour.

He said: "I'm euphoric. I'm still coming down to earth.

"I've been a member of the party for three or four years, but this is the first time I've stood.

"Our aim, as a party, is to get the people in Catcliffe out of the caravans they're living in and back home.

"Labour haven't been working for the people."

Mr Gamble was keen to stress that the BNP were "not racist".

He said: "We're accused of being neo-Nazis and racists, but my girlfriend is black."

The Tories gained three seats from Labour and Labour took one from an Independent candidate, meaning that, of the 21 seats contested, 14 went to Labour, five to the Conservatives and two to the BNP.

But Labour retains a big majority in the council chamber, with 50 seats to the Conservatives' 10, as well as the two new BNP councillors and one Independent.

The losses were a massive blow for Labour leader Roger Stone, who said: "It could have been a much better night. We could have taken more than one seat but we've lost five and gained one.

"I'm very sad for some of the very good councillors who have lost. At the end of the day, those councillors worked hard and I'd like to express my thanks to them."

Most of the parties who had put up candidates had talked about national policies, he said.

"The one thing we try to do is stick to local policies and try to do the best for people in Rother-ham.

"We still have our majority and can carry on doing the fantastic work we have been doing."

Coun Stone said the rise of the BNP, which last year fielded candidates in six wards but failed to gain a seat, was the "saddest part" of election night.

He said: "We've worked hard against the BNP but they're part of Rotherham Council now and we will have to work with them."