Lib Dems become largest party

6.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 2nd May 2008

Exeter Liberal Democrats are celebrating after becoming the largest party on Exeter City Council following the local elections on May 1st.

The Liberal Democrats won 6 of the 12 seats up for election within the new Exeter parliamentary seat. The Conservatives and Labour both won 3 each.

The Liberal Democrats now have 13 councillors (+1), Conservatives 12 (+2), Labour 11 (-3) and the Liberals unchanged on 4.

Chair of Exeter Liberal Democrats Cllr. Kevin Mitchell commented: "These set of results were outstanding and have placed the Liberal Democrats as the challengers for the new parliamentary seat".

Vanessa Newcombe was re-elected in Alphington with a 75 majority and Sheila Hobden was elected in Pennsylvania with a 102 majority. Both these were achieved despite a strong conservative challenge.

Long serving Councillor Phil Brock held St Davids with a 52.6% share of the vote and a 365 majority.

Rob Hannaford was re-elected in St Thomas with 60.2% of the vote and a 611 majority.

In St James despite a hard fought campaign from the Labour party, Natalie Cole was re-elected with a 148 majority and she achieved a virtually identical % vote to when she was first elected.

For the second year running Exwick was gained from Labour. This time by Liberal Democrat Adrian Hannaford with a 20 majority. He will now work alongside Cllr. Laura Newton who was elected last year.

The Conservatives won Pinhoe, Polsloe and St Leonards whilst Labour won Newtown, Priory and Whipton Barton. A full list of the results can be viewed by visiting the Exeter City Council website.