He said: "Obviously we're very disappointed with the results this evening. However, at the end of the day we've still got 48 Labour members against a combined opposition of 27.

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"This still gives us a reasonable opportunity of driving our five-year plan for the city forward."

Coun Symonds, whose future as leader will be discussed at a Labour party meeting tomorrow, blamed bad press for the Labour Government – rather than issues in Wearside – for his group's performance at the polls.

He said: "We're into 11 years of a Labour Government. It's unknown territory and I think nationally the Government will get it right and we'll work closely with them at local level.

"And I think in two years time when we come back to the polls people will see the advantage of having Labour in Sunderland."

He added: "If you look at the city, the city has moved forward tremendously over the last couple of years and I think we can see the city going from strength to strength.

"So I hope the people of Sunderland can bear with us and in two year's time see exactly how the city has progressed."