Labour retained their grip on Croydon Council with a close seven seat victory over the Tories which saw the Lib Dems gain their first ever seat.

A nailbiting count at Croydon's Fairfield saw Labour hold off a strong Conservative challenge in many of the safe Labour Wards. But despite unexpectedly losing two seats in Waddon and a low turnout of just 37 per cent of the 223,488 electorate, Labour ensured another four years of rule in the borough.

The Lib Dems won their first ever council seat in Coulsdon East as the Tories lost out to Ian Atkins.

Four years ago Labour swept to power in Croydon for the first time ever winning 40 of the 70 seats to end more than 100 years of Conservative rule in the borough.

Croydon showed clear support of a Mayor and Assembly for London with 65 per cent of the 37.6 per cent turnout voting in favour.

FULL ELECTION FIGURES ON MONDAY.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.