WEYMOUTH and Portland Borough Council saw a shake up in the elections, but no one party managed to get overall control.

In a night of anticipation, change and fast and furious results Labour were the biggest winners gaining four seats in total. The Conservatives lost two and Liberal democrats and Independents lost one seat each.

Ryan Hope, 20, became the youngest ever borough councillor when he took Westham North for the Liberal Democrats.

Overall voter turnout was low, averaging just 32 per cent. Preston had the highest turn out with 49 per cent and Tophill West had the lowest at just 26 per cent.

Before the election the borough council had no party in overall control. The new council now comprises 14 Conservatives, eight Liberal Democrats, 11 Labour and three Independents, but once again there is no overall ruling party.

Results started to come in by midnight with Littlemoor being the first ward announced. Rachel Rogers retained the seat for Labour after Simon Bowkett stood down.

She said she was extremely pleased to win.

She said: “I would like to thank the people for all the support they have shown me over the last six months and I hope I will be able to support them over the next four years.”

Westham East was won from the Liberal Democrats by Labour candidate Mike Byatt, while Wyke Regis was kept for the Labour party by Kate Wheller.

Weymouth West was won from the Conservatives by Labour candidate Colin Huckle. He said: “Thank you to the Weymouth residents for putting their faith in me to look after them for the next four years.”

In Westham West the Liberal Democrat Gill Taylor held her seat with a majority of 205.

She said: “I’m really pleased. I’d like to thank the people of the ward for their support.”

In Purbeck, all eight seats stayed with sitting candidates, meaning no change in the make-up of the council.

See Saturday’s Echo for a full election report.

See all the results here