THE Conservatives won overall control of Herefordshire Council after a night of emphatic victories and several shocks.

The Tories seized control in the last count when Paul Rone secured a surprise second place in the St Martins and Hinton ward after two re-counts.

The announcment at 7.50am yesterday secured the 30th of 58 seats for the party, and with it overall control.

It's Our County made the early running, winning eight seats in Hereford before adding a ninth late on in Ledbury.

The Independents also enjoyed a solid night, taking a hat-trick in Belmont and 14 seats to remain the Conservative's biggest opposition.

But it was a dreadful evening for the Liberal Democrats, who are left with just three seats after being decimated in Tupsley and Three Elms.

Two of the biggest shocks came in north east Herefordshire, where long-standing councillors Tom Hunt and Bernard Hunt lost their seats to Independent Gary Swinford and Conservative, Jonathan Lester, respectively.

Colwall councillor Roy Stockton also missed-out to Independent, Carl Attwood, while Hereford mayor and Liberal Democrat Anna Toon lost her place.