The Conservative Party no longer have overall control of Ashford Borough Council after losing four seats.

Labour and Greens have both made gains at this year’s local election after votes were verified and counted.

It means the Tories now have 19 seats, Labour are up five bringing the total to 11, and the Greens have doubled their wards from four to eight.

The Ashford Independent Party is down one, but still has nine councillors serving the borough while all Independent councillors have now been voted out.

Willesbourgh ward Cllr Steve Campkin, co-leader of the Green Party, received the highest number of votes of anyone running in the election with 1,102.

Reflecting on the win, he said: “I’m very pleased with the result, we went for the target and hit most of them so I’m very happy with that.

“It means we can go into the chamber with a lot more confidence, we’re going to a have louder voice.”

Leader of the Labour Group and Stanhope ward Cllr Brendan Chilton, hopes seeing new faces in the council will help encourage more people to vote in future elections.

“This is the first time we needed photo ID to vote and that did deter people,” he said.

“We need to consider how we address that locally and nationally.

“In some wards, including my own, turnout was very low and perhaps with a changed council, that will motivate people to vote.”

After 17 years in politics, former leader of the council Gerry Clarkson has now stood down passing his Conservative Charing ward to Yvonne Roden.

Speaking after the count, he said: “Clearly I’m disappointed because we have lost some seats but one has to be realistic.

“The reflection of what happened in central government in all parties does affect local elections.

“I’m standing down, this was my last term having done 17 years on the council and 10 years as the leader but that is democracy at work, we all have to move on.

“I have done 55 years of public services so it’s probably enough.”

Paul Bartlett, who has been re-elected for Mersham, Sevington South with Finberry said he put his name forward for the title.

Details of the new leader and the cabinet will be announced on May 25.