THE Conservatives have regained control of Winchester City Council, ousting the Liberal Democrats from power.

The victory, which saw the Conservatives gaining seven seats on the night, taking five from their closest rivals, ended more than a decade of Lib Dem rule.

Among the Lib Dem casualties was council leader, Sheila Campbell.

In the final result of the night, she lost her Swanmore and Newtown seat to Conservative, Victoria Weston, by 1,101 votes to 805.

Mrs Campbell's defeat meant that the Conservatives had 29 members, just enough for a majority.

2006 WINCHESTER CITY COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS

Bishop's Waltham (Independent hold) Busher, Georgina Mary Calvert (Independent), 985 Hockin, Roger Andrew (Conservative), 928 Haines, Stephen (Labour), 120 Forrest, Ruby Margaret (Unaligned), 117 Turnout: 42 %

Cheriton and Bishops Sutton (Conservative hold) Verney, Harry Ulick Dennis (Conservative), 565 Day, Christopher John William (Liberal Democrats), 338 Turnout: 53 per cent

Colden Common & Twyford (Liberal Democrats hold) Izard, Richard Charles (Liberal Democrats), 971 Marshall, Theresa Ann (Conservative), 850 Valentine, Tessa Susan (Labour), 73 Turnout: 47 per cent

Denmead (Conservative hold) Allgood, Frederick George (Conservative), 1,742 Houghton, Thomas Ralph (Liberal Democrats), 320 Picton-Jones, David John Henry (Labour Party Candidate), 78 Turnout: 41 per cent

Droxford, Soberton and Hambledon (Conservative hold) Coates, Anthony John (Conservative), 740 Scriven, Margaret (Liberal Democrats), 203 Turnout: 59 per cent

Kings Worthy (Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats) Howell, Stanley Arthur (Conservative), 799 Jones, Hilary Ann (Liberal Democrats), 697 Fullaway, Elaine Mary (Labour), 70 Turnout: 49 per cent

Olivers Battery & Badger Farm (Liberal Democrats hold) Collin, Brian Leslie (Liberal Democrats), 837 Evershed, Susan Margaret (Conservative), 829 Smith, David Edward (Labour), 53 Turnout: 54 per cent

Owslebury & Curdridge (Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats) Ruffell, Laurence (Conservative), 881 Stainton, Roy Sydney (Liberal Democrats), 539 Fullaway, Brian Edward (Labour), 44 Turnout: 49 per cent

Shedfield (Conservative gain from Independent) Huxstep, Roger Charles (Conservative), 649 Archard, Andrew John (Independent), 554 Jones, Stuart William (Independent), 173 Hayward, Patricia Frederika (Labour), 82 Turnout: 47 per cent

Sparsholt (Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats) Wood, Keith Robert (Conservative), 484 Coleman, Richard (Liberal Democrats), 297 Turnout: 52 per cent

St. Barnabas, Winchester (Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats) Worrall, Richard Geoffrey (Conservative), 1,350 Mitchell, Allan Edmund (Liberal Democrats), 1,099 Field, Adrian John Paul (Labour), 111 Turnout: 55 per cent

St. Bartholomew, Winchester (Liberal Democrats hold) Hiscock, Dominic Charles Alan (Liberal Democrats), 978 Cunningham, Patrick Brian (Conservative Party), 869 Curran, Timothy Michael (Labour), 133 Turnout: 43 per cent

St. John & All Saints, Winchester (Labour hold) Pines, Chris (Labour), 507 Lovegrove, Michael Charles William (Conservative), 498 Hicks, Adrian (Liberal Democrats), 478 Robbins, Harold William (Independent), 69 Turnout: 35 per cent

St. Luke, Winchester (Conservative gain from Labour) Stephens, James Michael (Conservative), 614 Hobson, Simon Paul (Liberal Democrats), 458 Davies, Patrick (Labour), 354 Turnout: 35 per cent

St. Michael, Winchester (Conservative hold) Tait, Ian Donald (Conservative), 1,240 Chesters, Susan (Liberal Democrats), 702 Edwards, Albert Alyn (Labour), 107 Napier-Clark, Judith Anne (UK Independence Party), 64 Turnout: 47 per cent

St. Paul, Winchester (Liberal Democrats hold) Pearce, Raymond Cecil (Liberal Democrats), 845 Allen, Gillian Philomena (Conservative), 725 Grech, Debra Ann (Labour), 108 Turnout: 38.5 per cent

Swanmore & Newtown (Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats) Weston, Victoria Louise (Conservative Party), 1,101 Campbell, Sheila Mary (Liberal Democrats), 805 May, Denis Robert (Labour), 52 Turnout: 60 per cent

The Alresfords (Conservative hold) Hollingbery, George Michael Edward (Conservative), 1,469 Porter, Jacqueline Anne (Liberal Democrats), 876 Atkins, Robin Vaughan (Labour), 131 Turnout: 51 per cent

Wonston & Micheldever (Conservative hold) Godfrey, Stephen Robert (Conservative), 1,271 McLoughlin, Peter John (Liberal Democrats), 604 Lickley, Nigel James Dominic (Labour), 77 Turnout: 48 per cent

Read the full election story in next week's Hampshire Chronicle