THE first results of this year’s local elections in Hampshire have started to come in.

The leader of Hampshire County Council Cllr Keith Mans has retained his seat in the Brockenhurst division in the New Forest while former county council cabinet member for health Judith Grajewski lost her Chandler’s Ford seat.

Votes were counted throughout the the day and the final results of the county council elections were expected tonight but have been pushed back.

In a statement, Winchester City Council said: "There was a fire alarm at 7.30pm at River Park Leisure Centre. Following a short evacuation, all count observers, candidates and staff are accounted for. 

"We are adjourning for today (Friday 7 May) and will return to continue the verification and proceed to the count of Hampshire County Council and Winchester City Council ballots tomorrow (Saturday 8 May) at 10am. 

"We will share further updates throughout the day tomorrow."

Results announced today included the Liberal Democrats in the Eastleigh divisions retaining seats in Botley and Hedge End, Eastleigh, Hamble, Hedge End and West End South.

But they lost West End and Horton Heath division and Bishopstoke and Fair Oak division.

Liberal Democrat councillor and former Eastleigh MP Mike Thornton - who represented the Bishopstoke and Fair Oak division - lost his seat to independent borough councillor Louise Parker-Jones.

Liberal Democrat councillor Bruce Tennent lost the West End and Horton Heath seat to Conservative candidate Steve Broomfield while Lib Dem Tim Groves won the Chandler’s Ford seat.

The results of the Eastleigh divisions were some of the first to be announced.

There were no changes in the New Forest where the Lib Dems retained their seats in Dibden and Hythe, Totton South and Marchwood divisions, while the Tories retained the remaining seats.

Cllr Roz Chadd, former county council cabinet member for education, was re-elected in the Farnborough North division.

Meanwhile, there were no changes in Fareham where the Liberal Democrats retained the Fareham Portchester seat and the Conservatives retained the remaining divisions.

The final results are expected to be announced tomorrow.

It comes as the count for the Southampton City Council elections will also start tomorrow  at 9.30am.

As reported, 16 of the 48 seats at the city council are up for grabs.
The council is currently made up of 30 Labour and 18 Conservatives councillors.

The authority has 48 seats in total with 25 required for a majority. On Thursday, there were no huge queues outside polling stations in the city as residents headed to the polls.

Hampshire residents were also asked to elect borough and district councillors as well as the new police and crime commissioner (PCC).

The results of the PCC elections are expected to be announced on May 10