The Conservatives and the Greens had the most reason to celebrate in the local government elections which were dominated by voter apathy.

Interest in the council elections reached a new low as voter turnout averaged between 20 per cent to 35 per cent.

But the polls did bring good news for the Tories who romped home to win back control of Maldon District Council for the first time in 16 years and the Greens who scooped two seats on Braintree Council.

It now controls more than half the council's 30 seats. Maldon Mayor Peter Nickolls lost his bid to win a seat on the district council.

Tories also made significant inroads into Labour's hold over Braintree Council. Labour lost six seats, leaving them with just 31 councillors.

Jenny Jarvis, constituency chairman for the Conservatives, said: "We are delighted because we are on our way back. Our seats have increased by seven and we intend to make a big impression on Braintree District Council."

But the shock result of the night was the Green Party's storming of the Witham Silver End and Rivenhall ward where they captured both seats from Labour.

It was a victory for the eco party who had been campaigning heavily against controversial waste plans - which could include waste incinerators at Rivenhall.

The Conservatives were also celebrating in Chelmsford after winning enough seats to bring an end to the Liberal Democrat stronghold on the borough council leaving it hung.

Elsewhere the Tories clawed back seats in the Lib Dem heartland of Colchester and took seven seats on Tendring.

But the elections brought bad news for the Lib Dems who lost three seats in Braintree and were completely wiped out in Maldon after its only councillor stood down.

In Southend it was a night of disappointment for Tory leaders as Labour and the Lib Dems retained control of the council - by just one vote.

A massive Conservative offensive across the borough failed to pay off as two key seats in Milton ward were taken by Labour.

However, it was a hollow victory for one of its candidates, Stephen George, who polled a single vote more than sitting councillor Joyce Lambert.

The Tory stalwart, who represented the ward for the past two years, was taken ill two weeks ago and was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.

If she had held the seat, the Conservatives would have snatched control of the council after five years of Lib Dem and Labour rule.

For the Liberal Democrats, it was a night of relief, tarnished with serious worries for the future. Activists stood at the count and watched in horror as their vote collapsed before their eyes.

Leigh ward - a traditional Lib Dem stronghold - was taken by the Conservatives in a surprise victory.

Jubilant Tory candidate John Lamb won the seat with a majority of 84 votes over sitting councillor Al Smulian.

The result could have been affected by anti-Leigh Town Council campaigner Brian Isaacs, who polled 238 votes. There were also 28 spoilt ballot papers from the ward.

Labour made significant advances in Westborough ward, too, by squeezing the usually solid Lib Dem vote to its lowest level for years.

Former mayor Howard Gibeon won the seat with a fragile four-vote majority after a recount. Councillor David Elf, the Lib Dem candidate in Prittlewell, also saw his majority slip from a massive 757 to just five votes.

Lib Dem leader, Graham Longley said: "There is no change. The administration will continue - it's business as usual.

"I do think it is particularly sad that Al Smulian lost his seat - he had served the town well and was a well-respected councillor."

However, councillor Charles Latham insisted the Conservatives' long-term prospects in Southend were looking good.

The Tory group leader said: "It is very frustrating that we are not in control of the council, but what has emerged is the total collapse of the Liberal Democrat vote in Southend West."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.