CONSERVATIVES were jubilant this week after easily maintaining their control of Wychavon District Council.

They won 31 seats out of the 45 seats available. The Liberal Democrats won 12 seats with Labour filling the remain two.

There were a few tense moments at the count last week however. There was a recount for the Fladbury seat between the Conservative leader of the council, Malcolm Meikle and Hill and Moor Parish Council chairman Tom McDonald for the Liberal Democrats. Coun Meikle came out on top however with 558 votes to Mr McDonald's 522 - a difference of 36 votes.

Coun Meikle said: "I am not surprised it was close. I was aware Fladbury Ward was a targeted seat by the Liberals." Coun McDonald said: "I am one of more than 500 people who feel we are not being listened to. I feel I did so well against the leader of the council that I now intend to try again for county and district."

There was an even tighter result in the Badsey Ward, which saw two recounts. Liberal Democrat Sonya Ealey won just ten votes more than Conservative Reginald Jakeman. "It was very close, but we will get the seat next time," he said.

Another interesting result was in the Pershore Ward where three Liberals won the seats. The Conservative Mayor of Pershore Richard Hampton and Conservative councillor Trudy Burge lost their seats, and in went John Grantham, May Gaynor and Charles Tucker.

Coun Grantham said the success was nothing to do with the present Pershore Cottage Hospital crisis. He said: "The hospital issue is not political. I am very pleased with the results, however."

Overall the turnout for the District elections was 37.94 per cent - nearly four per cent up on the 1999 elections.