THE Conservative group strengthened its grip on Canterbury City Council. It gained five seats, taking 29 of the 50 available.

The Liberal Democrats increased their tally by two to 19.

Labour lost four of its six seats and now has councillors only in Whitstable's Harbour ward.

Tory chief and council leader Harry Cragg said he was "absolutely delighted" with the result.

"We will go on improving services over the next four years and will work on things like increasing the rate of recycling and supporting youth projects."

Lib Dem leader Alex Perkins said the Tories had won by taking seats in Labour areas.

He said: "We have improved our position and we will continue to provide effective opposition. We will monitor the Tories very carefully and act as the conscience of the council."

Former Lord Mayor Fred Whitemore was among the Labour members to lose their seats.

Mr Whitemore, defeated by the Tories in Northgate, said: "These things happen and we are not helped by the situation nationally where Labour is at a very low ebb."

Another ex-Lord Mayor, Tory Lewis Norris, was also dumped by voters in the Little Stour ward.

Tory Jenny Samper polled the most votes of any single candidate with 1,871 while Independent Clive Wilkins-Oppler polled the least with 30.

The turnout was 37 per cent.