Ms Newton won the Exwick ward by 919 votes

The Liberal Democrat candidate, Laura Newton, won her Exwick ward seat by 919 votes. The turnout for the ward was 36.12% and overall was 36.2%.

Despite the shock result, Labour remained the largest party with 14 seats, with a loss of two.

The Lib Dems have 12 seats, Tories have 10 and Liberals have four. No party has overall control of the council.

LOCAL COUNCIL RESULTS   Councillors Councils Party +/- Total +/- Total After 312 of 312 councils. CON 911 5315 39 165 LAB -505 1877 -8 34 LD -246 2171 -4 23 OTH -162 1112 0 5 NOC - - -27 85 FIND YOUR RESULTS Enter a full postcode: Results in more detail

A total of 13 of the council's 40 seats were up for election.

Mr Slack said: "I am proud of what I have done for Exeter.

"If that is what the voters have decided I will have to take it on the chin."

Ms Newton said: "I think because the people of Exeter wanted change and I think because I've spent a lot of time the last few months meeting people and listening to people and getting things done.

"They saw that I was available and that I was going to be myself and that I have that level of honesty and integrity.

"It may be a small margin but an all important margin and I'm really looking forward to getting started."