Ruth Brown, the council's deputy leader, has been re-elected in Royston Heath ward.

The Liberal Democrat councillor said her party's joint administration had "achieved some good things together".

Ms Brown said: "We feel if we had an overall majority, we would achieve more particularly in the areas of climate change action, but we have achieved a lot together, and I've actually enjoyed working collaboratively with Labour.

"We are certainly looking to win seats in the general election, particularly in the 'Blue Wall'.

"This is good progress for us because we have made some gains."

Local Election results across North Herts including Hitchin and surrounding areas 

Full results below 

Labour has failed to secure a majority in North Herts by just one seat, but the party strengthened its lead at the authority which covers Hitchin.

Before the 2019 local elections five years ago, the Conservatives had an overall majority in North Herts with 28 seats.

But after polling on Thursday, May 2, the party has been left with just seven councillors out of a possible 51, down from 15 before the vote.

Labour won 25 seats, one shy of the 26-seat threshold for a majority, up from 19.

The party ran the council as part of a joint administration with the Liberal Democrats, who had 15 seats but now have 19.