JUBILANT Tories enjoyed a landslide victory that saw their majority on New Forest District Council rise from five to 30.

The Liberal Democrat opposition group was virtually wiped out in parts of the district as the Forest turned an even darker shade of blue.

Lib Dem leader Alan Weeks retained his Totton South seat but saw many of his party colleagues defeated.

He also witnessed former Lib Dems George Dart and Dave Russell win seats for the Tories after defecting to the Conservatives earlier this year.

Councillor Weeks blamed the results on the national swing to the Tories but forecast that the Lib Dems would bounce back.

In a warning to the cheering Conservatives he said: "They will now have to prove themselves. We will be holding them to account."

Tory group leader Mel Kendal cited the comparatively high turn-outs, with Conservative supporters turning out in droves.

He said: "The party leader David Cameron has restored confidence in politics generally. There's a feeling that we're on the brink of something new and people want to be a part of that."

The outcome means another four years of Tory rule in the Forest.

Cllr Kendal promised more of the same but with one addition - a greater accent on what the council could do for young people.

The Lib Dems got off to the best possible start when counting began at Applemore Recreation Centre at 9am yesterday.

The first result to be announced, Furzedown and Hardley, saw Graham Parkes retain his seat after beating Tory Paula Wappet-Madden by 163 votes. However, as the morning wore on, a long list of Lib Dem seats fell to the Conservatives, especially in the Totton and Waterside area.

The two vacant seats in Marchwood were captured by former county councillor Alan Shotter and Alison Hoare, both members of the parish council.

The parish council chairman, Lib Dem Keith Petty, failed to unseat Tory Pat Wyeth in nearby Lyndhurst.

Alexis McEvoy, chairman of Fawley Parish Council, was one of the two Tory candidates who triumphed in Fawley, Blackfield and Langley.

She said: "I've stood on this stage several times and accepted defeat gracefully but today is a magnificent victory for Fawley and the Conservatives."

Barry Rickman, deputy leader of the council, retained his Boldre and Sway seat and fellow Cabinet member Maureen Holding enjoyed a similar triumph in Brockenhurst and Forest South East.

Tory Paul Vickers, head of an action group that helped defeat plans for a container terminal at Dibden Bay, was also elected in Brockenhurst.

The only Cabinet member to lose his seat was Jeremy Heron.

Hours after seeing his younger brother Edward win Downlands and Forest for the Tories, Cllr Heron was beaten in Ringwood South.

Goff Beck, Cabinet member for crime and disorder, retained his Barton seat and environment portfolio-holder Michael Thierry triumphed in Ringwood North.

Tory Bill Dow is now almost certain to be elected chairman of the council for 2007-2008 after retaining his Forest North West seat.

Miranda Whitehead won the Fordingbridge seat vacated by fellow Lib Dem Bob Hale, who has stood down as a councillor after 17 years.