The Green party in Sheffield experienced mixed fortunes in Thursday’s elections – holding onto one key seat, but failing in another where they were highly fancied.

Green councillor Jillian Creasy fought off a determined Labour challenge in the city’s Central ward gaining 2530 votes –  293 votes ahead of her closest challenger Labour’s Mohammed Akbar.

But an expected strong challenge by the Greens in the city’s Broomhill seat failed to dislodge Labour.

Experienced Green activist Bernard Little, with 1315 votes, came in third behind victor Stuart Wattam (1,741) for Labour and second placed Alan Whitehouse (1,371)  for the Lib Dems.

Earlier in an interview with Jus News reporters Ms Creasy had sounded an optimistic note at the Sheffield count noting that the Greens secured about 50% of the votes from the first polling station to be counted.

She said that voters had recognised that the Greens offered  “a real alternative in policy terms “ citing an alternative budget they proposed in council as an example of this.

The result gives the Greens two seats on the 84-seat council chamber.

Listen to the full interview