LABOUR retained its majority following elections in Greenwich but a close result in two wards led to a recount on Friday afternoon.

Despite losing 14 of London's 32 boroughs to the Conservatives at last Thursday's election, Labour is still going "strong" in Greenwich after 30 years in power.

Greenwich Council now has 36 Labour members, 13 Conservatives and two Liberal Democrats.

But a close race between the Conservatives and Labour in the Kidbrooke and Hornfair ward and between the Lib Dems and Labour in Middle Park and Sutcliffe, led to a second recount last Friday afternoon.

The Tories gained two of the three seats in Kidbrooke and Hornfair where Labour had previously held all three.

Labour took one of the three seats in the Lib Dem stronghold of Middle Park and Sutcliffe.

Council leader Councillor Chris Roberts, who was re-elected with 1,125 votes for the Peninsula ward, spoke of his relief when the results announced a Labour majority.

He said: "I am always nervous before an election but I'm delighted with the results.

"We could have lost seats but we have the same number as four years ago, which shows how strong Greenwich Council is when you see what has happened nationwide and across London.

"What is clear is across all the parties individual candidates who have done the work have been rewarded for their efforts.

"And it shows the electorate has become much more discriminate about who are the effective councillors."

He added: "Hopefully the results justify the investment which is going into the borough, such as facilitating 21 new nursery care centres, providing better leisure centres and meeting the Decent Home Standard."

Councillor Ray Walker, who was re-elected for Labour in Eltham West with 1,322 votes, added: "People realise the benefits they have under this council.

"We stream Government money which benefits their lives which is why they return us to power."

Eltham North, which was retained by Conservative Nigel Fletcher, had the highest turnout in the borough at 50.1 per cent.

Mr Fletcher said: "People responded to our campaign. We fought on issues such as how Eltham feels neglected. Focusing on the issue that redevelopment always takes place in the north of the borough in Woolwich.

"In Eltham there are various signs of neglect. The Coronet Cinema is standing derelict, Severndroog Castle has been left to rot and Eltham Park Lido has been filled with rubble and flattened.

"There is a general feeling Eltham is not a priority for the Labour council."

He added: "Our results have given us a mandate to continue our campaign to regenerate the area.

"For one in four people to vote Conservative is sending a clear message to the council chamber to demand our issues are addressed and dealt with.

"We will make sure action will be taken on the Coronet and there will be more facilities for young people and generally for Eltham as a whole. It's interesting times."

Their colleagues in Eltham South also faired well, gaining three seats and ousting Liberal Democrat Mark Pattenden.

The Tories also took control again in Coldharbour and New Eltham.

John Hills, who won 1,542 votes, said: "I'm over the moon to represent the residents of this area.

"I want them to always come to me if they have any issues which need sorting out."