Jubilant Tories were celebrating today after they took more seats in the Tendring Council elec- tions

The Conservatives. who formed the administration on the district council with the Liberal Democrats and Independents before the election. increased their share of power.

It was the crucial Clacton wards of St Mary's, St James and St Paul's, where they stormed home in style, picking up new seats and strengthening their hold over old ones.

Tory leader Terry Allen said: "It really was a case of the Saints coming marching in for us today and we are naturally delighted with the results.

The Tories now have 25 seats a rise of eight on their previous 17.

The Liberal Democrats moved up from 11 to 13 but Labour suffered badly, slipping from 20 to 11.

The Conservative successes mirrored the picture across Essex and the rest of England.

On the national stage, the Conservatives gained 541 local council seats while Labour had lost 742 seats and Liberal Democrats were up 158.

Mr Allen said of the Tendring Council gains: "It demonstrates to us the voters of Tendring are happy with what we have achieved in the past four years and have given us the mandate to carry on the good work."

Robert Taylor, Liberal Democrat leader, was pleased with picking up two seats and becoming the second biggest party on the council.

However, he said he was disappointed to lose out in some seats, especially St James, where Gloria Bargent narrowly missed out.

A disappointed Labour leader Les Double said it had been a bad night for the party.

"It was disappointing and we will have to see over the next couple of days what the other parties do and what alliances may be formed," he said

Published Friday, May 2, 2003

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