Ben Houchen retaining the Tees Valley mayoralty for the Conservatives proved to be the party's only glimmer of hope among a bleak set of local election results.
Lord Houchen won the race in the Tees Valley with a comfortable - albeit reduced - majority of 54%.
However, the Tories lost 474 seats overall.
The Labour Party was the chief beneficiary, gaining control of councils in Adur, Cannock Chase, Hartlepool, Hyndburn, Milton Keynes, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Redditch, Rushmoor, Tamworth and Thurrock.
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