THE Conservatives have lost more seats in West Oxfordshire but remain in control of the district council.

For the second year in succession, the party lost several seats in the local elections, with their total in the chamber falling from 32 to 28.

Labour were the big winners, gaining in four wards, of which three were in Witney.

LIVE: Local election results as they come in from across Oxfordshire

But the Liberal Democrats remain the largest opposition party in the district, as a gain of two seats saw their total rise to 10.

Meanwhile, Conservative candidate Charles Cottrell-Dormer, believed to be Oxfordshire's longest-serving councillor, saw his 50 years of service come to an end after finishing second to Nathalie Chapple in Stonesfield and Tackley.

After a bad set of results for the Tories nationwide, some feared for the party's majority in West Oxfordshire.

They would have needed to lose eight seats in total to see their overall majority wiped out, but instead five seats fell, with Jill Bull gaining in Carterton North West. 

Council leader James Mills noted that Brexit had been a big issue for residents, but pledged to keep focusing on local concerns in the year ahead.

Read more: Lib Dems take control of South Oxfordshire

He said: "These elections were about local issues, however it's been very clear when talking to people on the doorstep that many are very upset with Parliament about Brexit.

"I understand and share those frustrations and the results did show that others wish to send a very clear message to our government.

"Now we must look to the future and I look forward to working with all of the newly-elected councillors to ensure that the district council continues to deliver for it's residents and keep West Oxfordshire the fantastic place it is."

All three councillors in Chipping Norton are now Labour, after Mike Cahill won the seat vacated by Conservative Guy Wall, who did not stand.

The party also made significant gains in Witney, with Luci Ashbourne, Joy Aitman and Owen Collins taking seats in the Central, East and South wards respectively.

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Mr Collins said: "Last year's campaign fed into this one, so it's been 18 months of hard work from a lot of people and I couldn't be more delighted with all of them."

Ms Ashbourne added: "I stood for election because councillors need to lift people from the grassroots and make sure their voices are heard.

"I'm delighted that residents have trusted us to do that."

Alongside Ms Chapple, Dan Levy is the other new Lib Dem after he took Tory Peter Kelland's Eynsham and Cassington seat.

Ex-Tory councillor Peter Handley, now independent, lost his Carterton North West seat to Ms Bull.

The winners:

  • Alvescot and Filkins: Suzi Coul (CON)
  • Bampton and Clanfield: Ted Fenton (CON)
  • Carterton North East: Norman Macrae (CON)
  • Carterton North West: Jill Bull (CON)
  • Carterton South: Michele Mead (CON)
  • Charlbury and Finstock: Andy Graham (LIB)
  • Chipping Norton: Mike Cahill (LAB)
  • Eynsham and Cassington: Dan Levy (LIB)
  • Hailey, Minster Lovell and Leafield: Gill Hill (CON)
  • Kingham, Rollright and Enstone: Andrew Beaney (CON)
  • Stonesfield and Tackley: Nathalie Chapple (LIB)
  • Witney Central: Luci Ashbourne (LAB)
  • Witney East: Joy Aitman (LAB)
  • Witney North: Richard Langridge (IND)
  • Witney South: Owen Collins (LAB)
  • Witney West: Harry Eaglestone (CON)