On a knife-edge count at Olympia in west London, Councillor Richard Barnes, pictured, lost the seat he had held for 12 years to Dr Onkar Sahota by 3,000 votes.

The top four candidates were Dr Sahota on 65,584 votes, Mr Barnes on 62,474, Lib Dem Michael Cox on 11,805 and Mike Harling for the Green Party on 10,877.

Dr Sahota, an Ealing GP and Hayes resident, earlier told the Gazette that a win for Labour in the seat would be a big upset. He said: "We have had a mountain to climb but we fought a good campaign."

On his way to the count Mr Barnes - who was also a deputy mayor of London -  had said he was confident of retaining his seat.
But after news of his defeat became clear, Mr Barnes' Conservative colleague on Hillingdon Council, Councillor Douglas Mills, told the Gazette: "It is a great shame."

Reports from the London Evening Standard suggested Mr Barnes had left the counting hall in a hurry. The Gazette could not contact him.

Mr Mills added: "Richard has served us well over the last 12 years but sometimes when national trends go against us this can happen.
"I am sure we will get it back next time."