The Conservatives have taken control of Carlisle City Council – with just one vote in it.

Local council elections earlier this month saw the council left in no overall control, and with no coalitions in place, left four independents, one Liberal Democrat, one UKIP and one Green councillor to decide the balance of power – which had been held by Labour.

It left Conservative leader John Mallinson with 20 votes and Labour's Colin Glover 19.

As the 17 Tories and 15 Labour councillors elected voted along party lines, three independents and Green councillor Helen Davison backed Labour, with Lib Dem Trevor Allinson, UKIP's John Denholm and independent Jeff Bomford going the other way.

The move was a shock to many in the council chamber, including Councillor Mallinson.

Speaking afterwards, the new leader said: “I’m delighted and surprised. It went right to the wire. I had no idea how it was going to go.”

He went on to stress that he would take into account the views of the whole electorate, not just his party.

“I’m here for the whole of the city, for everyone in Carlisle.

“The only promise I can make at this stage is that I will do my very best, and intend to be an incredibly inclusive leader,” he explained.

Outgoing leader Mr Glover said he was disappointed, but knew the vote would be close.

“We knew that with five votes short of a majority, it was an uphill battle,” he said.

“It was a case of waiting to see who put their hands in the air during the vote. We hoped we could do it, but it wasn’t to be. It was extremely close.”

Mr Glover added: “I felt the Labour group has done some incredible things for the city since 2012. We had a bold vision and haven’t been afraid to make difficult decisions to push the city forward.

“In opposition we now need to keep that vision at the forefront of our minds and make sure we keep pushing, to deliver for Carlisle.”

In the aftermath of the vote, the spotlight fell on Councillor Bomford, one of the three independents re-elected to represent Botcherby and North Harraby ward.

His decision to back Coun Mallinson – a move that saw him dubbed the ‘king maker’ by some – was motivated by his displeasure with the previous Labour-run administration and a belief that Carlisle needed a change, he said after the meeting.

“I looked at the running of the council in the time I’ve been on and I felt stronger that there needed a change in leadership – a change of the whole administration,” he said.

“I’m happy with the result. We did need change. Now we will see if he takes this opportunity to make good change.”

Following the meeting, Coun Bomford came in for some behind-the-scenes criticism from Labour supporters for backing the Tories having been elected in a ward that had showed very little Conservative support.

But Mr Bomford responded: “They have voted for independents, not Labour. If it was a Labour ward, there would be Labour councillors elected in it.”