THE Labour Party has gained five council seats in the local elections - giving it a majority of 11.
Before the election Labour's majority was one and Barnsley Independent Group councillors were confident Labour would lose overall control of the council.
But a strong showing from Labour supporters meant that did not happen.
Labour gained the Old Town ward from BIG and has taken the Kingstone ward where independent Donna Hollins stood down.
Darfield has also become a Labour seat, with Pauline Markham (1,945 votes) replacing BIG's Trevor Smith (1,383). The Hoyland Milton ward has also turned red, with Robin Franklin (2,269) becoming the new councillor. Independent Trevor Naylor had stepped down.
In the first result announced, BIG's Jim Smith, the sitting councillor in the Stairfoot ward, got 1,361 votes.Labour's Brian Mathers got 2,011.
The BNP received 559 votes and Conservatives 491.
In the Kingstone Ward Kath Mitchell (1,768) will be the new councillor.
BIG lost out in the Old Town ward, where Peter Middleton (1,767) has been replaced by Labour Coun Penny Lofts (2,067).
BIG Couns Harry Spence (Darton East, 2,263) and Jack Carr (Dodworth, 2,263) held their seats.
Labour Couns Denise Wilde (Wombwell, 2617), Tim Cheetham (Royston, 2,175), Jim Andrews (Rockingham, 2,430), Roy Butterwood (2,593), Kenneth Richardson (Monk Bretton, 2,060), Margaret Bruff (Central, 2,024), Joe Hayward (Cudworth, 2,441), Sharon Howard (Darton West, 2351), Janice Hancock (Dearne North, 2,278) and Dorothy Higginbottom (North East, 2570) held their seats.
Labour also held Worsbrough but with a new councillor, John Clarke (1,804).
In both Penistone wards Conservative councillors were returned. In Penistone East Robert Barnard received 2,976 votes, while in Penistone West Andrew Millner got 2,871.
