Labour snatched two seats from the Green Party in an unexpected turn of events on Oxford City Council following yesterday's election.

It was good news for the Conservative Party as well, as they held onto Cherwell District Council with the loss of just one seat and kept their majority on West Oxfordshire District Council.

The Tories also had cause to celebrate after Anthony Stansfeld was elected to serve a second term as police and crime comissioner after second preference votes handed him victory.

One of the big upsets was the election of Stephen Curran in Oxford City Council's Iffley Fields ward at the expense of veteran Green councillor Elise Benjamin.

Veteran Green councillor Elise Benjamin has spoken to local government reporter Matt Oliver about her shock defeat today at the hands of Labour.

The result at Iffley Fields - one of the most dramatic of this year - came after heavy canvassing from the rival parties.

Although Ms  Benjamin secured 961 votes, her Labour opponent Steve Curran narrowly won with 1,015 votes.

Speaking after the result, Ms Benjamin – who has sat on the council since 1999 – said she had been "inundated with support from residents" but claimed she was "outvoted by people thinking about national issues".

The mum-of-one added: "It was a surprise and I still haven't got used to it yet. I had a feeling it would be close, but I still hoped I would keep my seat based on support from residents."

She hopes to be back on city council soon and says she will remain "a strong voice" in local politics.

Independent Mick Haines also held onto his Marston seat.

Mr Stansfeld did not manage to secure victory on the first count but gained enough second-reference transfers to see off Mrs Carter's Challenge.

He said: "The campaign has went very well and I'm pleased there was a bigger turnout than last time. It gives the role greater legitimacy.

"There was a considerably majority and I will do my best for the people of Thames Valley."

There was relief for the Conservatives in Cherwell on a day of "uncertainty" as the local authority saw elections for all its seats for the first time following a boundary commission review.

But the Tories won 28 seats as Labour took eight and two independents were also elected.

The Lib Dems lost their only seat.

Deputy leader of Cherwell District Council George Reynolds said:

“It was not only an all-out election but three candidates for each wards which meant there was an enormous amount of split votes and strange combinations which would not usually happen.

“So for all parties that did have an affect this year.

“But we have all had to weather it out and the Conservatives still got a good hold on the majority.”

In West Oxfordshire the Tories took home 12 seats with Labour picking up three and the Lib Dems two.

Mr Enright said: "I'm absolutely delighted and proud.

"It's an indication of the work we have been doing locally for the past four years."

There was a moment of concern that Mr Enright had lost the seat to Conservative rival Suzanne Bartington, until a new pile of votes was discovered.

The councillor prematurely tweeted a thanks to everyone who had voted for him, but announced he had lost by 70 or so votes.

But then just an hour later he sent out another tweet, to say there had been a miscount.

You can see how the election unfolded here.