THE TORIES made huge gains in South Oxfordshire today after the district council turned blue bar just three seats.

When the final tally was done, Conservatives had 33 of the district's 36 seats, a 92 per cent hold on the council, compared to their previous 63 per cent.

Labour, Lib Dem and Henley Residents all ended up with one seat each.

Despite being buoyed by their success at the national polls, Conservative group leader John Cotton said the Tories' performance in local government had strengthened their reputation among the electorate.

Mr Cotton, elected for the Berinsfield ward, said: "I am very pleased, it is an honour to be elected and with a healthy majority."

A 2013 electoral review of South Oxfordshire reduced the number of seats from 48 to 36 for this election.

The number of wards was brought down from 29 to 21, compromising 10 single-member, seven two-member and four three-member wards.

The Conservatives had previously held almost two-thirds of the seats, with a total of 29 councillors (63 per cent).

Six councillors formed an Independent group, Labour had four councillors, as did the Lib Dems.
There was also one councillor for UKIP, one other Independent and three vacancies.