Major parties routed in mayoral polls

Major parties were routed by fringe candidates in two polls for elected mayors with also a strong finish by the far right British National Party at Stoke-on-Trent.

A independent was leading in a third contest at Bedford where the second round of voting takes place later today.

A night of shock results saw:

:: Stoke South's Labour MP George Stevenson defeated by gay rights campaigner Mike Wolfe of the Mayor4Stoke Party

:: Deputy leader of Mansfield Council, Nottinghamshire Labour's Lorna Carter loosing to independent Tony Egginton, a newsagent and surveyor.

:: The BNP's Steven Batkin polling 8,213 or 18.67 per cent to come third at Stoke which will increase concern among mainstream politicians after the party won three seats at Burnley in the May council elections

:: Frank Branston of the Better Bedford Independent Party well ahead of the field in the town's first round where Tories, who came first in May's elections, were third this time behind Liberal Democrats.

However Labour's Jules Pipe, Hackney Council's leader, was comfortably returned in the east London borough's mayoral contest.

Turnout was low ranging from less than 18.5 per cent at Mansfield to 25.3 per cent at Bedford.

The latest triumphs for minor party and independent candidates in the mayoral election come after successes in May for former police superintendent Ray 'Robocop' Mallon at Middlesbrough and Stuart Drummond - the town football club's mascot - at Hartlepool.

Labour's plans for directly-elected mayors to revitalise local government have brought great poll grief for the party.

Out of 12 contests so far, five have been won by fringe or rebel candidates - including London's Ken Livingstone - four by Labour and one each by Tory and Liberal Democrat with Mr Branston looking likely to triumph at Bedford later today.

Most towns holding referendums on whether to have an elected mayor have rejected the proposal.

Tories will, however, be disappointed at their setback at Bedford where the council area extends into rural areas beyond the Labour-leaning Commons constituency.

Stoke winner Mr Wolfe, 51, is former chief executive of the city's Citizen's Advice Bureau and was leader of the 'Yes' vote campaign in May's mayoral referendum.

Mr Wolfe, who is openly gay, said after the count: "I am going to say to all the people in the city: 'Give us a hand."'

Mr Egginton, also 51, is a member of the group of businessmen who collected a petition to hold a referendum on whether to have an elected first citizen in Mansfield.

He said: "I am totally overwhelmed but it is always lovely to be first and I want to do a successful job."

Mr Branston is the founder of the Bedfordshire on Sunday newspaper. His campaign platform included cracking down on litter and graffiti, curbing town centre parking charges and encouraging senior town hall officers to live in the borough they serve.

Mr Stevenson, speaking after his defeat at Stoke, hit out at the BNP.

He said: "Stoke-on-Trent is not a racist city and we must make sure our message gets out. This city welcomes all people and we must build on its strength of multi-culturalism."

Unemployed Mr Batkin did not stay for the votes declaration.

:: Stoke becomes the first council to be run by an executive mayor assisted by a council manager instead of a cabinet.

:: Bedford's count resumes at 10am.