IT was an "extremely gratifying" result for Conservatives as they increased their grip on Tonbridge and Malling leaving Labour without a single seat.

The Tories gained 12 seats. They now hold 46 of the 53 seats on the council.

It was not a good result for the Liberal Democrats who lost five of their 12 seats to the Tories, and Labour who lost all its seven seats to the Conservatives who gained Trench, Snodland West, and Snodland East wards.

Newly elected councillor for Trench ward, Michael MacDonald (Con), said he was "extremely pleased" with the result after the count at Larkfield Leisure Centre today (Friday), adding: "We are extremely grateful to everyone who supported us."

He shares the ward with Cllr Jean Atkinson (Con), also newly elected, who said: "This is a dream we never imagined. After 30 years of Labour it’s certainly an achievement. We really worked hard for it and make a very good team."

The Liberal Democrats came off worse for wear losing Aylesford, Vauxhall, and one seat in Ditton, to the Conservatives, but re-elected East Malling councillor, Liz Simpson (Lib Dem), said she was "delighted to keep working on behalf of everyone in East Malling."

Although they fielded two candidates in Tonbridge and Malling, the UK Independence Party (UKIP) did not come close to winning a seat.

After the last count was read, council leader, and re-elected councillor for West Malling and Leybourne, Mark Worrall (Con), said: "It’s extremely gratifying and we are extremely grateful for the support that the public have given us.

"In this borough we have never had a majority as large as we have now and that is a great honour and a considerable challenge.

"The work that our candidates have put in has been unprecedented. We will continue to serve our own local community."

Leader of the Tonbridge and Malling Labour Group, Paul Hickmott (Lab), said that although disappointed he was pleased to have had the "opportunity to serve the people of Snodland, Tonbridge, and Trench.

He added: "That’s democracy. You have to take the rough with the smooth. We are out but we are not gone. We still have a job to do and we will continue to do it."