THE political landscape turned blue last week, but the streets will be multi-coloured again after the victorious Tories pledged to reinstate the popular hanging baskets across the city.

After 13 years of Lib Dem rule, the Conservatives swept back to power on Winchester City Council, gaining five seats from the Lib Dems, including that of leader Sheila Campbell in Swanmore and Newtown.

Another high-profile ex-leader, Alan Mitchell, was also ousted from his St Barnabas ward in Winchester.

But in the hours following the victory, bosses at Winchester's Theatre Royal called for urgent talks about the future funding of the Jewry Street venue.

Other issues brought to the fore as a result of the poll, included the proposed park-and-ride scheme, which saw new leader George Beckett say the Tories may favour the old Tarmac site over the county council-preferred Bushfield Camp area.

The change in administration also led to renewed hope for property developers London and Henley, which wants to strike a deal with the city council over its alternative plan to rejuvenate the Friarsgate Silverhill area.

* For a full round-up and election reaction, see this week's Hampshire Chronicle.