The council, which covers Worksop and surrounding communities in North Nottinghamshire, was already in control of the Tories but yesterday the party seized another three seats, including one where the councillor had switched to independent status mid-term.

That took the party's total to 30 seats, providing what council leader Mike Quigley described as "a comfortable working majority".

Labour's position remained unchanged in practical terms because although the party gained two seats it lost two elsewhere, leaving its total of 16 unchanged.

Independent councillors felt the biggest change, however, with the four seats they had previously held slashed to only two.

Mr Quigley, who fought off opposition for his East Retford seat, said: "This gives us a steadier platform to go forwards on.

"We don't have district council elections next year and, statistically, it would take a landslide for Labour to get back in control for a year or two after that.

"That means we have a strong platform to improve the district and regenerate Worksop and Retford towns," he said.