SURVEYING the aftermath of the results of this year's election, the obvious winner in Swindon is Labour.

The number of 'red' wards in the town is beginning to creep up again, posing a newly-revived challenge to the Tory's dominance.

Of the 20 seats up for grabs at last night's election count, the party snatched two from the Tories, but there were also some very close shaves.

Labour came surprisingly near to taking some other wards which weren't even seen as 'wobbly' seats.

The Lib Dems were forced to defend their homebase of Eastcott against a serious Labour threat, and elsewhere the party came within a whisker of stealing the solidly Tory West Swindon ward of Freshbrook and Grange Park, as well as a seat in Dorcan - Conservative leader Rod Bluh's ward.

The biggest losers of the night were Conservative cabinet member Peter Mallinson, who lost his Walcot seat to Labour newcomer Ellen Osa and St Philip's Conservative Paul Findlow, who was unseated by Labour's Joe Tray.

And Labour leader Derique Montaut has vowed to take the fight to the Conservatives again next May.

But Coun Bluh deflected criticism, saying that local parties were always going to take the flak for unpopular policies of their national leadership.

How the council looks following the election CONSERVATIVE - 38 seats (-2)

LABOUR - 17 seats (+2)

LIB DEM - 4 seats