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

An "elated" Coun Crowther said: "It's just 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."

Another six Labour seats were lost – including that of former Wakefield mayor Alan Garbutt in his Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton ward – pushing the group to the edge of control with a majority of just one, holding 32 seats.

The combined Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independent groups now hold 31 seats, with 23 of those Conservative.

In Featherstone, Independent councillor Kay Binnersley kept her seat out of the grasp of Labour's Dick Taylor by 102 votes.

All three Castleford wards retained their Labour councillors – with council leader Peter Box winning Altofts and Whitwood.

Airedale and Ferry Fryston welcomed back Coun Graham Phelps while Coun Mark Burns-Williamson will stay in Castleford Central and Glass Houghton.

Support for the British National Party was also high in Castleford Central, with 854 voters marking an X for BNP candidate Rita Robinson.

Speaking after the election count on Friday, Coun Box said unpopular national issues had impacted on voting in Wakefield.

He told the Express: "I am pleased at winning my own ward but bitterly disappointed at the result in Wakefield.

"A range of national issues such as the 10p tax band and property prices have clearly had an effect.
"However we still hold the majority of wards and the important thing now is to carry on moving things forward across the district.

"People will speculate on these election results but I will be making sure people get the best deal in Wakefield."

See next week's Express for a full report.
Full voting results are listed below

Ackworth, North Elmsall and Upton

Richard Molloy, Con, 1,653 votes
Allan Garbutt, Lab, 1,466 votes
David Arthur, Lib Dem, 709 votes

Majority of 187

Airedale and Ferry Fryston

Graham Phelps, Lab, 1,401 votes
Stephen Rogerson, BNP, 628 votes
Mellisa Wan Omer, Con 540 votes
Paul Kirby, Lib Dem 430 votes

Majority of 773

Altofts and Whitwood

Peter Box, Lab, 1,316 votes
Burch Michael, Lib Dem, 827 votes
Gordon Tennant, Con, 793
Dawn Byrom, BNP, 585 votes

Majority of 489

Castleford Central and Glasshoughton

Mark Burns-Williamson, Lab, 1,775 votes
Rita Robinson, BNP, 854 votes
Eamonn Malachy Mullins, Con, 649 votes

Majority of 921

Featherstone

Kay Binnersley, Ind, 1,974 votes
Dick Taylor, Lab, 1,872 votes
Michael Roy Ledgard, Con, 464 votes

Majority of 102

Knottingley

Graham Stokes, Lab, 1,417 votes
Tom Dixon, Con, 1,081 votes

Majority of 336

Pontefract North

Philip Thomas, Con, 1,352 votes
Jack Kershaw, Lab, 1,323 votes
Bob Evison, Ind, 398 votes
Rennie Smith, Green, 240 votes

Majority of 29

Pontefract South

Mark Crowther, Con, 2,340 votes
Trevor Izon, Lab, 1,801 votes
Chris Rush, Lib Dem, 650 votes

Majority of 539