The next few days will see negotiations among the political leaders in north Suffolk as no single party has overall control of Waveney District Council following the local elections.

The next few days will see negotiations among the political leaders in north Suffolk as no single party has overall control of Waveney District Council following the local elections.

The Conservatives remained the largest party but do not have enough seats to take overall control.

It was a night of mixed fortunes for both the Tories and Labour. Labour lost Beccles North to the Tories and Harbour to Independent candidate Norman Keable.

They did, however, capture the Lowestoft Whitton Ward from the Green Party. The Tories lost Oulton to Independent Peter Collecott but won Beccles North from Labour.

With five Independents and three Liberal councillors holding the balance of power it remains to be seen if Labour or Conservatives form the next administration.

Last year Labour formed the administration with support from the Liberal Democrats and Independents even though they had less seats than the Tories. However, Brain Hunter Labour leader of Waveney District Council would not commit himself to what might happen in the next few days.

Conservative leader Peter Austin also said there would have to be a great deal of discussion before anything was settled.

The chairman of Waveney District Council Bob Niblett easily held on to his Halesworth seat for the Conservatives, defeating fellow Town councillor Paul Whitlow who stood as the Green Party candidate, Labour's Julie McLoughlin and Henri Watts of the Liberal Democrats.

The current make up of Waveney District Council is now Conservatives 21, Labour 19, Independents 5 and Liberal Democrats 3.