VOTERS gave the Liberal Democrats a kicking in the Wychavon as the Conservatives returned with an enlarged majority.

There was surprise among all parties as it became clear the Tories would make significant gains as the ballots were counted, yesterday.

The Conservatives gained six seats from the Liberal Democrats, including two in Pershore and pushing the Liberals out of Droitwich altogether.

But Tory councillor Laurie Evans was unseated in Droitwich West by comeback kid and political veteran Labour’s Peter Pinfield, four years after his party were wiped out in the district.

The turnout was 39.36 per cent, leaving the Conservatives with 38 seats, the Liberals with five and Labour on one.

Paul Middlebrough, leader of the Conservative group, said it was “a fantastic result” for the party saying the opposition Liberal Democrats and Labour’s local political campaigns were “not well organised”.

He pointed to the high number of uncontested seats in this year’s election, gifting 11 out of 12 seats to the Conservatives before a vote had been cast.

“We’ve gained seats at the expense of the Liberal Democrats which seems to follow the national trend,” said Mr Middlebrough.

“It’s a larger responsibility, having increased our majority by five.

“But I hope Labour and the Liberal Democrats will provide an effective opposition.”

In Droitwich Central, and Droitwich South West the Conservatives gained three seats from the Liberals, picking up another seat in The Littletons.

And in Badsey independent candidate Mary Campbell nearly provided an upset by coming within 24 votes of unseating the Conservative’s Reg Jakeman.

Margaret Rowley, Liberal Democrat leader, said: “The result is not good news for Wychavon.

“This is the national factors of the AV vote and the Coalition which have crept in.

“We will continue to be the critical friend of opposition on the council.”

Coun Peter Pinfield, of Labour, said he was glad to be back and would be a “voice of reason and protest”.

BLOB An investigation will be launched by Wychavon’s returning officer Jack Hegarty after 142 ballots people cast ballots in Droitwich South West with a printing error.

The error means all the ballots were void, and only 50 of the affected voters polled again.

The blunder did not materially affect the outcome of the vote.