The Conservatives are on course to regain control of Barnet Council in the 2002 elections, according to their new Assembly member.

Fresh from his success on Thursday, Councillor Brian Coleman predicted future Tory gains in the polls.

'We're on course to take back the Finchley & Golders Green and Hendon Parliamentary seats and take control of the council in 2002,' he said.

Mr Coleman was narrowly elected Greater London Assembly (GLA) member for Barnet & Camden ,, beating off Labour rival Councillor Helen Gordon by just 551 votes.

He joins 24 other successful candidates in the London-wide body under Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Council leader Alan Williams blamed Ms Gordon's defeat on a split vote and 7,500 'spoilt' ballot papers.

'When you look at them closely they were spoilt because people were confused. It was clear the vast majority were trying to vote Labour,' he said. Rumours that Labour was to appeal against the close result, citing the unprecedented number of spoilt votes, remained unconfirmed at the time of going to press.

Ms Gordon's agent, Greg Burton, said: 'We're examining all the options and will see what happens from there. It could mean that we don't do anything.'