THE Conservatives have maintained strong holdings so far in West Oxfordshire District following yesterday's local elections.

Following the count in Witney today, nine of the 10 ward seats announced have been Tory, with one new Lib Dem councillor also being elected in Charlbury and Finstock.

Councillor for Alvescot and Filkins since 1999, David McFarlane, was the first returning councillor to be announced at 10.30am this morning.

He said: "It's great that I can return to the ward and continue the good work that is being done at the district council."

Liberal Democrat candidate for Charlbury and Finstock, Andy Graham, shocked the swathes of Tory supporters by winning a seat on the district council by nearly 250 votes.

Mr Graham said: "I'm so pleased that we've been successful.

"I knocked on nearly 800 doors to spread the message."

But apart from Mr Graham, the Tories are sweeping the board.

Former Oxfordshire county councillor for Witney West and Bampton Simon Hoare left his seat vacant to become a Tory candidate for Dorset North.

Local councillor James Mills successfully retained the county seat for the Conservatives, with 3,462 votes.

County council leader Ian Hudspeth offered his support to the incumbant, as did veteran councillors Rodney Rose and Hillary Hibbert-Biles.