THE question of who will run Newport's city council is hanging in the balance tonight as the Conservatives are now just two seats behind Labour.

The Tories have not controlled the council since the 1970s, but this afternoon, they won three seats in Rogerstone, unseating a Labour cabinet member, and two in Caerleon after tense recounts. They also took seats from Labour in Malpas.

But there are still six critical seats to be fought over in St Julians and Bettws where polls are delayed for about a month after the deaths of candidates.

As things stand Labour have 19 seats, the Conservatives 17, Liberal Democrats six, one Plaid Cymru and one Independent.

It is clear that no single party will emerge at the end with overall control of the city council, but who will become the largest party depends on the outcome of the delayed elections.

There is also no overall control in Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, and Caerphilly councils.

The Conservatives retained Monmouthshire county council.

Labour suffered badly in other parts of Gwent with some commentators blaming it on national issues, such as the government's decision to axe the 10p tax rate.

However, in Blaenau Gwent - once one of Labour's safest strongholds - the fallout from the all women shortlist row, which led to the forming of People's Voice and a large number of stalwarts leaving the party, continues to reverberate.

The party in Torfaen also had a shocking night. Activists had expected to have their majority cut but not to lose 18 seats and only gain two new ones.

While Labour remains the biggest single party with 18 seats the number of councillors from other parties has jumped from 10 to 26.

Plaid Cymru celebrated its first ever representation on the council after winning three seats in Fairwater, Coed Eva and Llantarnam.

In Caerphilly, the Independents took three seats from Labour in Blackwood.

Read the Saturday Argus for a six-page roundup of all the results and reaction.