Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has celebrated an "amazing achievement" in Trafford today as the party took control of the council for the first time since 2003.
Council boss Andrew Western strengthened his grip on the authority after running it as a minority administration since wrestling control from the Conservatives last year.
Labour now hold 36 seats, the Conservatives 20, the Liberal Democrats four and the Greens three.
Speaking to reporters in Trafford this morning, Corbyn said: "I wanted us to do better, of course.
"But look at the result here in Trafford where you have a Labour administration working very hard in the interests of the community here, and a Labour party that is totally in touch ... all year round."
When told by a reporter that Labour is "out of step nationally", Corbyn responded "not at all".
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He said: "We've lost some seats across the country ... and also gained seats in various places. I've mentioned Telford, I've mentioned a number of places in the south..."
Addressing activists later, he said: "You have shown in that year just what can be achieved. You've done stuff that's good in social care.
"You've done things that are good in housing. You've done things that are good in administration.
"And you now have a 50/50 men and women Labour group.
"That is an amazing achievement and what you have shown is that by your determination to stand up for the people of Trafford despite the way this Tory government has hit local government so hard in budget after budget, that you deliver services for those who most need them all across the borough.
"Well done you, and well done everyone in Trafford Labour."
How many council seats the Conservatives and Labour lost in the local elections
