Brighton and Hove's first all-postal election pulled in thousands more voters and a surprise surge in the fortunes of the Green Party.

The vastly-improved turnout rate saw 46 per cent of those eligible taking part.

And the result toppled the Labour Party from the position of overall dominance it has enjoyed in the city since the merged council was created in 1996.

While Labour is still the majority party, control now hangs in the balance. Council and party leaders will meet in the coming days to decide upon a workable strategy.

Elsewhere across Sussex, the Tories enjoyed a resurgence in a night of high drama which saw many veteran politicians toppled from their seats.

Tory joy, however, was dented in Horsham where they lost control after surprising gains by the Liberal Democrats left a hung council.

On a mixed night for the Lib Dems in Sussex, Worthing fell to no overal control but the Conservatives failed to win over voters in Eastbourne, who kept faith with the Lib Dems despite facing one of the highest council tax rises in the country.

Despite the situation in Brighton and Hove, the atmosphere was unusually subdued in the Brighton Centre.

The ruling Labour group was quiet. Leading councillors did not relish losing overall control after seven years.

Council leader Ken Bodfish said it had been a very difficult election but Labour was determined to stay in power and he felt this could be achieved.

Coun Brian Oxley, opposition Tory leader, also ruled out deals as did the Greens and the Lib Dems.

Coun Keith Taylor, Green convenor, said: "We started with only one councillor seven years ago. Then we went up to three and now we have six. We are making progress."

The election in full: thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/local_election/results.html