The SNP has made political history in an astonishing night in Glasgow, overtaking Labour as the largest party in the city.

In a series of dramatic and nail biting counts the nationalists emerged with seven MSPs to Labour's six.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon comfortably won the Southside seat with a majority of more than 4000, sweeping aside the challenge from Labour's Stephen Curran.

Ms Sturgeon was exactly a shock victor, but in the counts that followed across the city the SNP finally smashed the Labour Party's domination in Glasgow.

The ballot papers in Shettleston began stacking up in equal amounts for Labour stalwart and ex city council leader, Frank McAveety, and John Mason of the SNP.

Eventually Mr Mason emerged the winner by around 500 votes, scoring yet another victory over Labour in the East End, following his 2008 Glasgow East by-election win.

In Cathcart, another former Labour council leader and Glasgow heavyweight Charlie Gordon fell to the SNP's James Dornan in a surprise result.

In Kelvin, Sandra White finally took the seat from Labour's Pauline McNeill at the fourth time of asking.

The night ended with a dramatic recount in Anniesland in what was the most surprising SNP victory in the city.

Labour MSP Bill Butler in a safe seat was seven votes behind Bill Kidd, sparking the recount, with Mr Kidd the victor leading to jubilant scenes from SNP supporters.

Labour held Maryhill and Springburn with Patricia Ferguson holding off the challenge from Bob Doris, who reduced her majority to around 1300.

In Pollok, Deputy Labour leader Johann Lamont held her seat and Paul Martin held on to beat Anne McLaughlin in Provan.

SNP supporters were overjoyed as the scale of their win in the city and news from across Scotland filtered through.

Nicola Sturgeon who repeated her win in 2007, said it was a momentous night for her party.

She said: "We have proved with this result, not only can we win in Glasgow, but we can hold seats in Glasgow as well.

"We are showing the SNP is a force to be reckoned with."

Sandra White, who was the most optimistic of SNP candidates before the vote, said she could not believe it when the victory eventually came.

She won Kelvin by around 700 votes.

Ms White said: "I am euphoric. It is difficult to win a seat from Labour in Glasgow so this is a historic night. We have broken Labour's back in this city."

Pauline McNeill, who has been MSP for the seat for 12 years, delivered a gracious losing speech, refusing to attack her opponent or the SNP nationally.

An emotional Ms McNeill said: "I have done my bit for the people of Kelvin and I have had the privilege of representing them for 12 years, and I will miss them.

"We must find the issues that unite all of us in the parliament. We need unity in the Scottish Parliament to protect the country."

In Shettleston Frank McAveety vowed to return to retake the seat from John Mason.

Mr McAveety said: "Mr Mason won a seat before and lost it quickly. That can happen again."

Mr Mason, whose previous by-election victory was described as a political earthquake, said this win was miraculous.

He said: "People said it would take a miracle for the SNP to win in Shettleston. Well I believe in miracles."

The scale of the SNP win across the city meant that Labour for the first time ever had to rely on seats from the regional list to bolster their numbers at Holyrood.

On the second vote list, Labour won three MSPs, SNP two, Tories one and the Greens one. The Liberal Democrats were wiped out in Glasgow, losing their list seat.

George Galloway, who hoped to win a seat in Glasgow for his Coalition against the Cuts alliance with Solidarity, was also defeated.

Labour are now preparing for the inquest into their biggest electoral disaster in Glasgow.

Gordon Matheson, city council leader, said: "It has been a terrible night for the Labour Party."