THE Conservatives tightened their grip on Hampshire County Council, increasing their number on the 78-seat authority by nine.

Going in to the county council elections yesterday (Thursday, May 4) the Tory’s had 47 seats on the council, a working majority.

After all the votes were counted yesterday, they held 56 seats, and just over half of all those who voted, elected to vote Conservative.

The Liberal Democrats won 19 seats, increasing their number of councillors by three from 16 before the election.

Labour lost two seats, leaving them with just two councillors, and the Community Campaign group in Hart won one seat.

The three independent councillors all lost their seats. All the details are available by following the Local Elections web page on the Hampshire County Council website www.hants.gov.uk