Labour maintained its steely grip on Wigan council as it comfortably fended off the challenge of opposition parties.
On a day of disappointment for the party nationally, the ruling group continued its dominance as it won 19 of the 26 seats available in the council chamber.
Any hopes of a shock result were dashed. Not a single seat changed hands.
The most exciting moment of the day came as independent councillor Bob Brierley held on to his Hindley Green seat by just eight votes.
He was pushed close by Labour’s James Palmer, but eventually triumphed after three tense recounts.
Brierley declared it 'a fantastic result', but admitted to feeling nervous as the votes were being counted.
"I'm relieved to have won," he said.
"It's been a long day. I can't wait to get back on my lawnmower and get some fresh air."
Elsewhere, council leader David Molyneux held on to his seat in the Labour stronghold of Ince with a majority of 929 votes over the Conservative Allan Atherton.
Speaking afterwards, he said his party had 'bucked the national trend'.
Coun Molyneux added: "People in Wigan are not tired of voting Labour.
"We have probably increased our majority in every ward and run the independent very closely in Hindley Green.
"We will build on the foundation next year when we intend to take seats off the opposition."
The council's deputy leader Keith Cunliffe also held on to his berth in Leigh East, while Labour's Yvonne Klieve celebrated re-election in her Golborne and Lowton West ward.
In Orrell, Conservative group leader Michael Winstanley held on to his seat, while the party reclaimed another vacated following the death of Richard Clayton last year.
Coun Winstanley said the election had gone as 'well as could be expected' for his party.
He added: "We came in wanting to defend all of our seats and we did that quite comfortably.
"We did extremely well in Standish and in Lowton and pushed Labour close in other wards.
"Overall, we had a positive campaign and I think people are genuinely looking for a change.
"When you look at what happened nationally, this has been a wake-up call for Labour."
Meanwhile, Independent Network councillor Jamie Hodgkinson held on to his Atherton seat, continuing a growing trend away from traditional party politics.
Independent and Independent Network councillors are now the official opposition in Wigan.
Coun Hodgkinson said: "We are fighting for neglected areas of he borough. For example in the recent budget, we tried to get funding for all the town centres, instead of just Wigan and Leigh."
Marie Cooper took the vacant Lowton East ward for the Conservatives. It was vacated by James Grundy who became Leigh MP at the 2019 General Election.
Mr Grundy who was present to support Coun Cooper said: "I am delighted that I have left Lowton East in the very safe and capable hands of Marie Cooper.
"I'm sure she'll make an excellent councillor."
The results leave Labour with 57 seats, the various Independent groupings 10 and the Conservatives with eight.
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