LABOUR'S stranglehold on Renfrewshire politics is at an end after the party failed to win overall control of the local authority.

The SNP and Labour both secured 17 seats on the 40-ward council.

It is the first time in almost 30 years Labour won't have overall control of the Paisley-based local authority.

The Liberal Democrats, who achieved four seats, will hold talks with both parties next week to decide whether to enter into a coalition.

The shock results have delighted the SNP who had targeted the area following a catalogue of resignations by sitting Labour councillors.

Councillor Derek MacKay, who led the SNP group on the last council, said: "This is an absolutely fantastic result for the SNP.

"We have increased our number of councillors and our share of the votes and we now have a real chance to take power away from Labour for the first time in a generation.

"It's a wonderful result for the party and we will be seeking talks with the Liberal Democrats as soon as possible."

The new administration will be charged with taking forward plans to regenerate Paisley town centre, Renfrew and Johnstone, which have been hit hard by the impact of Braehead and other out-of-town shopping complexes.

Mike Dillon, a record shop owner who was elected for the first time as a Liberal Democrat candidate, said: "We have got to get Paisley back on the map, get people to shop here again and attract more investment.

"The town centre has been a big issue for a lot of people as has the proposed parking charges at the Royal Alexandra Hospital."

Plans to build an incinerator in Linwood have also been a major election issue with the SNP mounting a massive campaign against the development.

The Nats launched a petition against the planned incinerator - securing the support of 1000 concerned local residents.

Linwood residents are concerned that if the incinerator gets the go-ahead it will put plans for a new Tesco development in the town at risk.

One SNP spokesman said: "Linwood might be Tescotown or it can be Incineration City but it cannot reasonably be both."

Former council leader Jim Harkins, who has led Renfrewshire since 1999, retired this year and it is not clear who will head up the new local authority, while Bruce McFee quit his Holyrood seat to return as a council candidate at this election.

The gamble paid off for the former SNP group leader who was elected in the ward of Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwinnoch.

There were none of the technical problems that plagued other counts but the process was slowed down as a number of voters had failed to make clear their numbered preferences.

On average around 150 ballot papers were rejected in each of the 11 wards.

One Labour candidate who was happy with the new electoral system was Jim Sharkey, who was elected to serve Paisley East and Ralston.

Councillor Sharkey said: "This is a historic result locally because I'll be the first Labour member in Ralston.

"Under the old voting system we were stuck with a single candidate but with the new system people will be represented fairly. All of the councillors will have to work together to make it work."

Since the old Renfrew District Council was established in 1974, the SNP have only been in power briefly during the late 1970s.

Turnout across the area averaged around 57%, with Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank recording the highest turnout figure of 64.55% jonathan.paisley@eveningtimes.co.uk NO OVERALL CONTROL STATE OF THE PARTIES: Labour 17, SNP 17, Lib Dems 4, Conservatives 2 Renfrew North: Derek MacKay (SNP); Bill Perrie (SNP); Alexander Murrin (Lab) Renfrew South and Gallowhill: Mary Fee (Lab); Eddie Grady (Lab); Cathy McEwan (SNP) Paisley East and Ralston: Brian Lawson (SNP); Celia Lawson (SNP); Jim Sharkey (Lab); Susan McDonald (Lib Dems) Paisley Northwest: Mike Dillon (Lib Dems); Perry Kelly (Lab); Kenny MacLaren (SNP); Tommy Williams (Lab).

Paisley South: George Adam (SNP); Eddie Divine (Lab); Marie McGurk (Lib Dems); Jim Mitchell (SNP) Paisley Southwest: Lorraine Cameron (SNP); Jackie Green (Lab); Eileen McCartin (Lib Dem); Mark MacMillan (Lab) JoHNstone South, Elderslie & Howwood: John Hood (Lab); Tracie McGee (SNP); John Caldwell (Lab); Iain McMillan (Lab) Johnstone North, Kilbarchan and Lochwhinnoch: David Arthur (SNP); Neil Bibby (Lab); Bruce McFee (SNP) Houston, Crosslee and Linwood: David Clews (Con); Audrey Doig (SNP); Anne Hall (Lab); Allan Noon (SNP) Bishopton, Bridge of Weir and Langbank: Michael Holmes (Lab); Iain Langlands (Con); Carol Puthucheary (SNP) Erskine and Inchinnan: Kim Harte (Lab); James McQuade (SNP); Sam Mullin (Labour); Iain Nicolson (SNP)