THE ELECTION may be over but the jostling for power in Southampton has just begun.

On an historic night in Southampton, the Liberal Democrats became the largest single party in Southampton for the first time in more than 90 years.

You have to go back to before the First World War when the then Liberal party held the reins of power in the city.

But Southampton residents must wait until May 21 before they find out who will run the authority's multi-million-pound budget.

The Liberal Democrats gained three seats during last night's dramatic events at The Guildhall. They ousted both the breakaway Liberal group leader George Melrose from Millbrook and long-serving Liberal councillor Mike Gausden from his Coxford ward.

They also gained Woolston at the expense of Labour's former leisure chief Julian Price. Labour's night of woe was further compounded when high-profile councillor Paul Jenks, who headed the city's regeneration programme until a year ago, lost Sholing to the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats now hold 18 seats, making them the largest party on the council.

Labour has 16 seats with the Conservatives on 12, the Liberals down to just one and one Independent - the former Labour councillor Paul Russell.

Turnout was 29 per cent, 0.8 per cent up on last year's figure. Every elector was offered the chance to vote by post in a drive to increase participation.

As the largest single party, the Liberal Democrats would expect to put forward their new leader to the council on May 21.

But the other party leaders were keeping tight-lipped about whether they would allow a minority administration to rule the city.

Tory group leader Councillor Alec Samuels, who held on to his Bassett ward, said: "Obviously, we shall have to discuss the situation in the next few days. We don't think the Liberal Democrats would be any better for the city than Labour."

He did not rule out a deal between the Conservatives and Labour to keep the Lib Dems out of power. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said he was delighted at the result.

He said: "It has been a great night for the Liberal Democrats in Southampton. For the first time, we are the largest party on the city council. I am delighted we have won back our seats in Millbrook, Coxford and Woolston.

"We shall obviously put forward a candidate for leader of the council but it is the council as a whole which, of course, determines that position. The balance has now swung in our favour."

Former council leader Councillor June Bridle said: "We will work for the benefit of the people of Southampton. We want to serve the people."

Perhaps the saddest figure on the night was Labour's Paul Jenks, who is no longer a councillor for the first time in 12 years. Fighting back tears, he said: "It was very close. I don't know what I will do at the moment."