STEWART PATERSON and LUCY ADAMS

The SNP has been discussing deals with various parties to take charge of local councils across Scotland and keep Labour out of town halls.

The party, which is struggling to form a coalition at Holyrood, has struck agreements with the LibDems and independents and is understood to be close to clinching others involving Conservatives and single-issue campaigners.

SNP councillors have agreed a coalition with the LibDems to take charge of East Lothian Council, which has been in Labour hands for more than 30 years. The election left the SNP and Labour tied on seven votes with the LibDems on six.

SNP councillor for Dunbar and East Linton, Paul McLennan, said: "This was traditionally safe Labour but the mood has been changing. There are a lot of similarities in our policies and we are delighted to have reached an agreement."

On Tuesday, SNP and independents agreed a coalition on Argyll and Bute Council.

In West Lothian, The Herald understands a deal has been provisionally agreed between the SNP, three St John's Hospital campaigners and a single Tory to take control of that council from Labour.

Even though Labour emerged as the biggest party, with 14 seats, one more than the SNP, the coalition would have 17, a majority of one.

The Tory, Tom Kerr, is expected to be elected provost today and will officially not be part of any coalition.

The SNP group leader, Peter Johnston, was not prepared to comment until after the council meeting today.

Labour councillors are unhappy at having the largest number of votes and seats but being unable to form an administration.

Graeme Morrice , Labour group leader, said: "We have been in talks with all sorts of people since last Friday.

"Mr Salmond said as largest party, the SNP had the moral right to form the government. If it is good enough for Holyrood then it should be good enough for West Lothian.

"We did not get a kicking in West Lothian. According to the votes, the people of West Lothian do not want the SNP to run the council. The hospital campaigners cost Labour one seat but probably cost the SNP two. West Lothian Council does not run the hospitals. We did all we could on St John's as did colleagues at Holyrood and Westminster."

Deals are also understood to be close today in South Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire, where the SNP will be the senior coalition partner and a possible deal in Renfrewshire with four LibDems. All the deals would remove Labour administrations.

East Ayrshire is one of a number of councils facing an alliance between the Tories and SNP.

After meetings between the party leaders yesterday, the SNP is expected to create an informal alliance with the Tories rather than a full coalition, to keep Labour out.

Under the proposal, the Tories would chair one council committee and take the position of provost. The SNP and Labour both won 14 seats on the traditionally Labour council, the Tories took three and there is one independent.

A source close to East Ayrshire Council said: "We know now that the Tories are prepared to do a deal with the SNP to form an administration. Part of the price for that deal is that the Tories would get the provost's position. Those in Labour are extremely disappointed."

It is understood that SNP policy will not allow councillors to form an official coalition with the Tories, but that informal agreements will be ratified by the party.

A spokesman for the Tory party said decisions would be made locally.

"Annabel believes in localism," he said. "There is an advice line for councillors to chat through their decisions but those decisions are up to each council group because they know the local concerns. There is no edict nor any instruction from the centre."

A spokesman for the SNP said: "No SNP council group will form an administration nor enter into any formal agreement with the Tories."