Only in the east ward, where Tamara Loakes was the new face to be voted onto the town council – saw turnout drop below 50 per cent (49.8 per cent).

The May 5th elections now mean there will be 18 Lib Dem, one representative from the conservatives and one independent councillor sitting on the council.

Further new faces to be elected were Vivienne Allan (Conservative) and David Taylor (Lib Dem) who prevented Leonard Heath taking a seat on the north ward after his failed attempt to switch from his previous west ward seat.

Karen Armitage (Lib Dem) and David Roberts (Lib Dem) were successful in the west ward.

Victoria Waddington-Black, having changed to a Labour candidate, failed to regain her seat as Lib Dem councillor Gareth Jones stepped into her seat in the south ward.

Dorchester’s new town councillors are: Dorchester north - Vivienne Allan, Richard Biggs, Andrew Canning, Susie Hosford and David Taylor; Dorchester west - Karen Armitage, David Barrett, Trevor Jones, Peter Mann, and David Roberts; Dorchester east - Tim Harries, Stella Jones, Fiona Kent-Ledger, Tamara Loakes and Tony Lyall and Dorchester south - Carolyn Biggs, Tess James, Gareth Jones, Robert Potter and Mollie Rennie.

THE Conservatives have strengthened their grip on West Dorset District Council despite fierce competition in the local elections over their plans for million-pound new offices in Dorchester.

The Tories increased their number of seats from 28 to 32 with the Liberal Democrats, who are opposing the move to a new site in Charles Street, losing three seats.

But one opponent of the council office move, Dorchester town crier Alistair Chisholm, standing as an Independent, did strike a blow to the Conservatives in the Charminster and Cerne Valley ward by taking one of their seats. After winning his seat, Mr Chisholm vowed to call the council to account during his four-year term.

Council leader Robert Gould, who has been heavily criticised over the plan for new offices, retained his seat in Queen Thorne with a substantial majority.

Council chairman Ronald Coatsworth also retained his seat in Bradpole.

West Dorset District Councillors elected for Dorchester and district: Broadmayne - Alan John Thacker (Conservative); Charminster & Cerne Valley (2 seats) - Sarah Jane East (Conservative) and Alistair Fraser Chisholm (Independent); Dorchester East Ward (2 seats) - Timothy Charles Nelson Harries (Liberal Democrat) and Enid Stella Jones (Liberal Democrat); Dorchester North Ward (2 seats) - Susie Hosford (Liberal Democrat) and Andrew James Canning (Liberal Democrat); Dorchester South Ward (2 seats) - Robin Potter (Liberal Democrat) and Molly Rennie (Liberal Democrat); Dorchester West Ward (2 seats) - David John Barrett (Independent) and David Trevor Jones (Liberal Democrat); Frome Valley Ward - Mary Penfold (Conservative); Maiden Netwon - Jill Haynes (Conservative); Owermoigne (2 seats) - Teresa Mary Seall (Conservative) and Peter Jonathon Stein (Conservative); Piddle Valley - Jacqui Cuff (Conservative); Puddletown - Patrick Cooke (Conservative) and Winterborne St Martin - Stephen John Slade (Independent).