The Conservatives have strengthened their hold on County Hall by taking their total of seats to 52.

Counting has finished and overall the Green and Liberal Democrat parties have been the biggest losers.

The Conservatives saw their 44 seats increase by eight, while the Lib Dems have ten, a drop of five. The Greens are left with two seats after entering the day with five.

Labour’s figures could be read two ways. It has nine seats — the same as they won at the last election. However two of those councillors then became independents so technically they have won two more than they had on election day.

Tory leader Keith Mitchell said: “It’s very exciting.

“It’s better than I dared to hope.

“We have some bright new people in our group and we are looking forward to the next four years.”