A CLIFF-hanging finale to the council elections in the New Forest left the buoyant and relieved Conservatives jumping for joy and the Liberal Democrats wondering what might have been.

The Tories ended the count by retaining control of the now 60-seat council, with 32 seats to the Lib Dems' 27 and one independent.

But with just four seats to be declared right on the Hampshire-Dorset boundary - two each at Barton and Bransgore - it was a slender 28-27 margin, plus Independent Danny Cracknell from Ringwood.

John Hutchins - on the council for 24 years already - and Ken Austin held their seats at Barton to ensure that the Tories couldn't be beaten.

Then, at 12.30am, came the result of the Bransgore recount.

Top spots there for housing chief Peter Greenfield and John Penwarden ensured an overall four-seat majority. Councillor Greenfield had moved successfully from the now defunct Forest West ward to edge in front of Independent Sally Owen by just six votes.

It meant that the Conservatives in the south and west of the district had overcome Liberal Democrat supremacy in the east.

Conservative council leader Mel Kendal reflected: "We have a bigger majority now than when we regained control of the council four years ago. But frankly, we didn't deserve to lose in view of the way we have been running the council."

Lib Dem group leader Maureen Robinson admitted feeling disappointed.

She said: "At the very least, I thought there would be no overall control. But we have made gains and I am pleased with those gains.

The Lib Dems took eight of the ten seats in Totton, all six at Hythe and Dibden, and all four in the Fawley, Blackfield and Holbury area, as well as the new Furzedown and Hardley seat won by Hythe community worker Graham Parkes.

One of the surprises of the night was the defeat of Residents Against Dibden Bay Port chairman Paul Vickers at Marchwood, where long-serving Applemore College governor Graham Walmsley and experienced former Totton councillor Lin Snashall emerged victorious.

Mr Vickers said: "I'm very confident we will win the battle against Dibden Bay, but I just didn't know what to expect as an election candidate."

Speaking on behalf of fellow Conservative candidate Alan Shotter, he said: "We have fought on behalf of Marchwood for the past four or five years and we will continue to do that because Dibden Bay remains the biggest threat to this parish."

Other surprise casualties included long-serving Independent Roy Bowring at Hordle, Lib Dem Ben Earwicker at New Milton, Hampshire county councillor Kathy Heron in Downlands and Forest, and county councillor Frank Bright and Di Brooks, both at Totton East

SEE TODAY'S DAILY ECHO FOR THE FULL LIST OF RESULTS.