TALKS were taking place between rival councillors today after the Conservatives lost control of Oxfordshire County Council.

Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders are discussing the future of the administration following Thursday’s elections.

The Tories have 31 out of 63 seats, one short of the majority needed to run the council.

They lost 14 seats while Labour gained eight to take 15 seats and the Liberal Democrats gained three to take 11 seats.

The number of independents rose from three to four while the Green Party held two seats.

The total number of seats on the council was cut from 74 before the elections to 63.

Labour leader Liz Brighhouse said said she hoped to make a statement later today.

Conservative leader Ian Hudspeth was not available for comment. The party's councillors are due to choose a leader this weekend. Yesterday Mr Hudspeth refused to rule out a working relationship with other parties.

Liberal Democrat group leader Zoe Patrick could not be contacted for comment.

Green group leader David Williams said his party would not enter talks with the Conservatives but would support a ‘rainbow’ coalition of other parties, which have the required 32 seats.

Mr Williams said: "We were elated with the result and will now look to work with all the other parties to form a rainbow coalition. We have contacted the other leaders and will now wait for a response.

"The electorate will not want this to hang around, so we hope to move fast.”