At Leeds Civic Hall two recounts were needed before sitting councillor Karen Renshaw was proclaimed the victor for Labour in Ardsley and Robin Hood with a majority of just 11 votes over BNP candidate Joanna Beverley.

And in Morley North Coun Robert Finnigan, who won back his seat for the Morley Borough Independents, called for the resignation of the town's BNP councillor after what he called a "negative" campagin.

At Leeds it was a tense atmosphere as Coun Renshaw and Coun Beverley waited for the outcome, which was eventually revealed after three counts.

Afterwards, a relieved Coun Renshaw said she wanted to thank all the residents of Ardsley and Robin Hood who voted for her.

"I will endeavour to ensure that all residents receive the services of which they are entitled and contribute towards," she said.

"It is my task to serve as a local councillor for this area and I will continue to give support and assistance where I can and where it is needed.

"I would like to say a very special thanks to everyone who has given me their vote of confidence to allow me to serve as their local councillor for the next four years."

Over at Morley Town Hall, there were scenes of jubilation as Morley Borough Independents held on to both their seats in Morley North and Morley South.

In Morley North Coun Finnigan claimed a comfortable victory over his nearest rival, BNP candidate Tom Redmond, with a majority of 2,277, while Coun Elliott had a 935 majority over Mike Mee, also standing for the BNP.

"I think the result shows that the electorate in Morley North and Morley South have agreed to put their faith in us for another four years and that's a genuinely humble experience," Coun Finnigan said.

"They trusted us to take forward the progress we have been working on for the last four years and I'm personally delighted at the result.

"We have delivered our pledges in the past and we will work closely with all communities and all community groups and we will continue to deliver in our work.

"They (the electorate) have put their trust in us and we have put our trust in the people."

Coun Elliott echoed that delight after her re-election was confirmed.

"They (the electorate) backed hope, not hate," she said.

"I have always been here for the community. I have been working for the community as all MBI councillors have been doing and this has given me an opportunity to continue to do just that."

Speaking after the election result Coun Finnigan said his Labour opponent (Neil Dawson) had conducted his campaign "fairly and reasonably" but slammed his BNP opponents for a campaign he said were full of "smears and innuendos".

He called for Coun Chris Beverley (BNP, Morley South) to resign from his position on Leeds City Council.

"But the people of Morley North and Morley South saw right through it," he said.

"They had a look at what they (the BNP) were offering and saw they were bankrupt of ideas and bankrupt of policies. The people mainly responsible for the BNP's campaign were Couns Chris and Joanna Beverley and they were responsible for arranging the most negative campaign I have ever come across.

"I think that Coun Beverely should reconsider his position and resign."

Speaking in response to Coun Finnigan's calls, Coun Beverley said: "I find it most amusing that a man who was forced to resign from Leeds City now has the audacity to suggest that a councillor from an opposing party should resign because he does not like what is written on our leaflets.

"The Morley Borough 'Independents' are a disgrace to our town and the British National Party will continue to work hard for Morley and continue to offer Morley folk an honest and patriotic alternative."

Coun Beverley added that he would like to thank the thousands of people in the greater Morley area who voted for the British National Party on May 1.

"Your support is very much appreciated," he said.