Labour was battered by a series of crushing blows – blamed on the party’s unpopular national policies – at the election count on Friday and was saved from losing control only by a last-minute win in Hemsworth.

Pontefract South’s Trevor Izon – Labour chief whip and cabinet member for children – was ousted by Conservative Mark Crowther by 539 votes while Pontefract North Labour councillor Jack Kershaw lost by just 29 ballot papers to Conservative Philip Thomas after a nail-biting recount.

Mr Izon, a councillor for six years, said: “Obviously I’m disappointed but with the way national trends are going it wasn’t such a shock.

“Local issues have been my priority from the start and achievements have included new housing and some improvements to traffic congestion.

“But the traffic in Pontefract has got more intense and that really needs sorting out.

“I’ve had calls and cards from people so I’d like to thank them for their support and for working with me.”

An “elated” Coun Crowther said: “It’s fantastic to see three Conservatives fill the ward of Pontefract South.

“My priorities are to find a resolution to the Town End traffic issue, retain post offices in the district and Pontefract police station, as well as putting to bed the notion of a wind farm in Darrington.”

A cabinet replacement for Mr Izon will be announced at the next full council meeting on May 15.

Another six Labour seats were swept away – including that of former Wakefield mayor Allan Garbutt in his Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton ward – pushing the group to the edge of a hung council with 32 seats. The combined Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent groups now hold 31 seats, with 23 of those Conservative.

Mr Garbutt said he might make a comeback in the next district elections, expected to be in 2010.

He added: “It’s down to people who they choose to be councillor and they’ve chosen someone else.

“But that doesn’t take away the fact that I’ve been honoured to serve the area for the last four or five years – I will still work with the community.