THE Liberal Democrats suffered a crushing defeat in one south coast town last night.

Voters in Bournemouth returned the Tories to power with a landslide victory.

Before yesterday's vote, the Tories had 18 seats while the Lib Dems had control with 30 seats while Labour had three and independents three.

The Conservatives gained 23 seats to make a total of 41 while the Lib Dems dropped to seven and Labour and independents stayed on three each.

Conservative leader Stephen MacLoughlin said: ''It's a fantastic result for the Conservatives. We have been positive throughout the campaign, offering a vision for the people of Bournemouth which people have come out in large numbers to support.

''We have identified key policies of the environment and planning and making sure the council is effective and responsive. '' There was equally good news for the Conservatives in both Chirstchurch and Poole where they managed to retain control.

But there were better results for the Liberal Democrats in Portsmouth where they managed to retain control.

After the last of the results were announced the Lib Debs had 19 of the 42 seats - exactly the same number as before.

The only changes were that the Conservatives gained Central Southsea from the Liberal Democrats and the Lib Dems gained Baffins from the Independents.

Elsewhere, the Lib Dems held the other six seats they were defending, the Conservatives held all four seats they were defending and Labour held both seats they were defending.

The results now mean that the Lib Dems have 19 seats, the Conservatives 17, Labour five and there is one Independent.

Before yesterday's elections, the Lib Dems had 19, the Conservatives 16, Labour five and the independents two.

The one set-back for the Lib Dems was the defeat in Central Southsea of Debbie Tomes, the city's Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services.