For a version of this story updated on 6/5/23 click here

Update 2: Bitterne Park now has three Labour councillors following Thursday's local election.
Labour retains control of Southampton council with increased majority
Green Party takes seat in Portswood; first for the city

Speaking to bitternepark.info shortly after the announcement, Tony Bunday, above left, who was the first Labour councillor ever elected in Bitterne Park at last year's election and who held his seat, said the party had worked "very hard" in the ward.

"The way the national polls had gone as well, we were hopeful of three, confident of perhaps two, but delighted to get three," he said.

The count is still continuing in the Guildhall and the final outcome, and therefore makeup of the city council, isn't expected until later today, but Bunday said he thought Labour will retain control.

"I think that's clear now," he said.

Asked why he thought people had voted Labour in Bitterne Park, he said: "I've worked very hard. I live in the ward and an embedded in the ward as are the other two candidates"

"We're very committed to Bitterne Park because it's a lovely place to live."

Also elected as Bitterne Park ward councillors for the party were Amanda Jane Barnes-Andrews and Phil Webb, above centre and right, outsting Conservaitive councillors David Fuller and Ivan White.

The full results were:

BARNES-ANDREWS, Amanda Jane, Labour Party - 1790 - elected
BLUEMEL, Lindsi, Green Party - 593
BUNDAY, Tony, Labour Party - 1670 - elected
CHAPMAN, Kathryn, Liberal Democrat -283
CURD, Ben, Liberal Democrat - 361
FULLER, David John, Local Conservatives - 1598
HARWOOD, Rob, Local Conservatives - 1289
KELLY, David Thomas, Independent - 177
MYERS, Nicholas Martyn, Liberal Democrat - 267
STRUTT, Dawn Marie, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition - 102
WEBB, Phil, Labour Party - 1677 - elected
WHITE, Ivan William Local Conservatives - 1259

The turnout in both Bitterne Park and Portswood wards is very similar to that in 2022.

Amongst more Conservative losses are long-standing outgoing councillors Ivan White and David Fuller from Bitterne Park.

— Jamie Shapiro (@JamieShapiroLDR) May 5, 2023

So far we also know that the Conservatives have lost two seats in Bassett ward to the Lib Dems, who now hold all three ward seats, as well as David Fuller and Ivan White's in Bitterne Park.

But the overall election result, which will is likely to dictate which party will control the council, will not come until a lot later today.

You can see ward by ward results shortly after they are announced on this council page, and on this council Twitter feed. https://twitter.com/SouthamptonCC

Update: Labour retains control of Southampton council with increased majority

#SotonElections2023 results for Bitterne Park ward are in:

Amanda Jane Barnes-Andrews LAB
Tony Bunday LAB
Phil Webb LAB pic.twitter.com/ed4x1eQPbW

— SouthamptonCC (@SouthamptonCC) May 5, 2023

Photo of trio outside Civic Centre: Carol Bunday