Talks have already begun between Labour and the Liberal Democrats to form a coalition to take control of Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council.

Following an historic election in the borough, which saw the Conservatives lose four seats and majority control for just the second time since 2002, the council is now no overall control.

But, with the Lib Dems gaining two seats to take their total to 14, and Labour gaining the same number to take them to 12, talks between the parties have already taken place regarding a coalition to take overall control.

Paul Zukowskyj, Liberal Democrat councillor for Welham Green and Hatfield South, told the Welwyn Hatfield Times that discussions had already been held, with more planned in near future.

"We’ve had little conversations here and there about how a joint administration might work, but we’ve got dates in the diary for formal negotiations to sit down and try hash out what it will look like," he said.

"I am very positive and very hopeful that we can come to an agreement and run a joint administration."

And Cllr Zukowskyj believes a coalition will provide Welwyn Hatfield with a "brighter future".

"I absolutely think that administration would be able to provide a brighter future for Welwyn Hatfield," he added.

"There are lots of things that I think the Conservatives have been doing wrong for years, and they are things that I don’t think are particularly difficult to fix in a lot of cases.

"The council has been, certainly for the last few years, dysfunctional, and I think with an attitude and organisational change is going to take a bit of time though. We want to get on with things and get it done."

Labour parliamentary candidate for Welwyn Hatfield, Andrew Lewin, who was at the election to support his party colleagues, reaffirmed that talks had been held between the red and yellow party.

“Lynn Chesterman and Max Holloway, as our Labour group leader and deputy leader, will take the lead on discussing a coalition with the Lib Dems, and there will be discussions, but at this stage that is all we can say," he said.