THE Conservative Party has strengthened its stranglehold on Fareham Council after stealing three seats from the Lib Dems and keeping Labour frozen out.

Its boldest gain came in the former Lib Dem stronghold of Fareham South where first time councillor Trevor Howard, 66, took disgraced Hugh Pritchard's seat following his conviction for fraud.

An embarrassing night for Labour was sealed when the party failed to clinch a single seat and leader James Carr skulked out before the second ward result had even been announced.

New Labour candidate Michael Taylor standing in Stubbington didn't even turn up for the count.

The single Green Party candidate David Harrison was convincingly beaten with a margin of 1,191 votes between him and winner Conservative John Bryant in Fareham North.

The first ballot box was carried into the counting room at Ferneham Hall at 10.15pm and it became clear by 3.30am when the last result was declared that Conservatives controlled 21 seats compared to the Lib Dems nine.

Clearly overjoyed council leader Sean Woodward said: "I am absolutely delighted. I was certainly expecting to make a few gains but we have got one more than I thought we would.

"People voted for us because of local issues I don't think national politics played a part. Labour have been gone for four years, they are extremely unpopular and their leader is a liability."

It was a night of high drama with a recount ordered in Stubbington when only eight votes separated Conservative Kay Mandry seemed to be beating incumbent James Forrest by a whisker.

After more than two hours Mrs Mandry was declared the winner by eight votes and she now takes her place on the council beside her husband Arthur Mandry, a fellow Conservative.

Accountant Mrs Mandry said: "I didn't think it was going to be that close. Now I'm looking forward to working on the council after watching my husband do it for so long, although I'm not sure how much of him I'll see now!"

Scandal surrounded Lib Dem councillor Kate Hester who lost her seat after mysteriously switching to Fareham South from Fareham North-West where Lib Dem Eric Dunn won.

The dismayed former councillor refused to discuss why she had moved other than to say it was her choice.

She said: "I felt Eric was more suitable to the job, although I certainly felt up to it as I have lived in the ward for 37 years. I am bitterly disappointed."

Another battered Lib Dem Steve Clark, who won the Portchester West seat with just 15 votes two years ago, was last night kicked out by Conservative Nicholas Walker who held the ward before him.

Mr Walker said: "I basically lost it because of the new Portchester Hall that was built. Lots of people were concerned about it but now they are seeing it as a valuable facility and they have come back to me."

Fareham Conservative MP Mark Hoban said: "It was a fantastic night for us and we have made progress. The result tonight is a tribute to how well run the council is."

Afterwards Lib Dem leader Roger Price said: "I am disappointed. But I think it can partly be explained by the fact that the European elections have brought out more Conservative voters.

"I don't think it is a good idea to have the local elections on the same night as the European elections. We go onwards from here and hopefully we won't have the two elections on the same day again."

Unsuccessful Labour candidate for Fareham North-West Michael Prior said: "It was a disappointing evening for us but it's in line with national results.

"I am sure this position would be revered in a general election. We have suffered for not having representation on the council for two years."