IT WAS Labour’s night at the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council election count after the party gained four seats.

The party gained seats in Brighton Hill North, one of the two seats in Brighton Hill South as well as coming out on top in the Brookvale and Kings Furlong ward.

However, the major steal of the night came in the Buckskin ward which saw the seat taken from Conservative councillor, Robert Taylor by the Labour party’s candidate, Nigel Pierce.

The party’s gain means that in total they have 17 seats and are only second to the Conservative party who have 29.

The result is also being hailed as "historic" after the party claimed that the additional four seats mean that this is the largest Labour group for nearly 30 years.

Labour group leader Laura James told The Gazette: “It has been a great night for Labour in Basingstoke and we have now got 17 seats which is amazing. It has been a great night and we have got some great new councillors.”

Deputy leader Paul Harvey added: “The Conservatives have lost control over Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. They have not had the confidence of the voters of Basingstoke.”