Tories Birmingham's largest group

Councillor Mike Whitby is now leader of the council's largest group

The Conservatives have become the largest political group in Birmingham for the first time in over 20 years.

Birmingham City Council, the biggest local authority in Europe, remains in no overall control but the Tories gained three previously Labour seats.

Liberal Democrats had 10 members elected and Respect won one seat.

The council now consists of 44 Conservatives, 41 Labour, 32 Liberal Democrats, two Respect and one independent.

Conservative councillor Mike Whitby, leader of the city's ruling Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition, said the gains were a result of a pledge to retain weekly rubbish collections and improvements to core services.

People do not want their rubbish lying about for a fortnight and they have told me that loud and clear Councillor Mike Whitby

Mr Whitby said: "When I first came on to the council in 1997 we only had 13 councillors and we were actually lying third."

He urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to take note of widespread opposition to fortnightly bin collections, saying: "Voters want value for money and quality services and we have given people their pride back.

"I have made a promise that despite the government's exhortations, weekly refuse collections will remain - paring down an essential service is something I hope Tony Blair will reconsider.

"People do not want their rubbish lying about for a fortnight and they have told me that loud and clear."

Sir Albert Bore, the leader of Birmingham's Labour Group, played down the Conservative's gains, saying: "We have lost four seats but gained one and the Conservatives have gained three - that's not exactly earth-shattering progress.

"The Labour base in the city is still very strong and is one which we will build on.

"These results are certainly not the meltdown scenario that many were predicting for the Labour Party."