ST LUKES WARD: Conor Burns storms to victory.

THE TORY revival took a major step forward today when they seized power in three Hampshire councils.

But Labour held on to Southampton City Council although the race is on for a new leader after John Arnold announced he is to stand down.

The Conservatives biggest success came in the New Forest which they won outright from the Liberal Democrats.

The incoming administration then immedi-ately announced the scrapping of controversial car parking charges which has sparked fury across the Forest.

Deputy Tory leader Simon Hayes said the hotly-debated charges would be abolished "at the earliest opportunity" - likely to be the next meeting of the full council on May 24. "People didn't want the charges and they're causing difficulties for many of our local shops,'' he added.

The Tories took control of Fareham from the Liberal Democrats after gaining five seats and holding on to another four.

They also raced to victory in Test Valley where they turned a minority control into a majority of 12 seats.

Conservative MP for Romsey Michael Colvin hailed the results as a "tremendous morale boost" which could herald a Conservative fight-back throughout the country.

"We must now ensure we maintain this momentum for the European elections in June," he said.

Labour held strong in Southampton, although former leader John Truscott lost out in St Luke's ward to Conor Burns, the only Tory gain in the city. But the main election issue came after the polls closed when council leader John Arnold announced he would step down.

Councillor Arnold, 64, who has led the city for the past four years, told the Daily Echo: "The council is expecting a major restructuring of our administration in the autumn and that time will be appropriate for the group to look for another leader."

Labour councillor and former challenger Paul Jenks has already admitted he intends to stand for leader after his working party has reported on its restructure plans.

The group is considering whether Southampton should opt for an elected mayor or a cabinet-style system, keeping the figure of a council leader. It is expected to decide on a cabinet.

In Gosport mayor Linda Barker lost her seat, but the control of the council remains split despite the Liberal Democrats tak-ing four seats off rival break-away party Gosport First.

Tories won two seats in Winchester but their grip on the City Council was retained by the Liberal Democrats.

They also continue to dominate Eastleigh council where 22-seat majority over the Tories was retained.

The Tory revival also continued in Wiltshire where they won 17 new seats, although they still have no over all control holding 27 out of 58 seats.

For the full list of local results see tonights Daily Echo

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.