CONSERVATIVES confirmed their dominance in Tunbridge Wells on a night which saw the only Labour councillor in the borough lose his seat.

With the Tories making a net gain of three seats, 41 out of the 48 members of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council are now Conservative.

Labour’s Ronnie Ooi, who had represented Southborough and High Brooms, was ousted in a close vote which went to a recount.

His result was the last of the night to be announced, at about 12.30am on Friday.

Labour activists at the count in the Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells, blamed the party’s poor performance on national mid-term blues.

However, Cllr Roy Bullock (Con), Conservative group leader in waiting, said: "It’s just hard work by some very good candidates, delivering what people want and obtaining a high satisfaction rate.

"This is the first time, at least since 1974, that this council has not had a Labour councillor.

"And for the first time for a long time we now have three Conservative councillors in Pembury, which is excellent news."

The Liberal Democrats snatched one seat from the Conservatives, but lost three, leaving them with seven councillors – a net loss of two.

Newly-elected Cllr Lesley Herriot (Lib Dem), who took St John’s from Conservative incumbent Brian Ransley, said she was "delighted" at the result, adding: "I campaigned extremely hard, all day and every day.

"Transport, the state of the roads, rubbish and recycling, schools and development were the main issues."

Despite fielding 10 candidates in Tunbridge Wells – the most ever – the UK Independence Party (UKIP) did not come close to winning a seat.

But Tunbridge Wells UKIP chairman Victor Webb said: "When you count up the number of people who voted for us in various wards, it’s significant. We helped keep Labour out.

"We are more than an irritation. The other parties now treat us seriously. They’re not laughing at us any more; they are fighting us. Now we have to win."

The area’s only Green Party candidate, Brian Leslie, said he was pleased with a result which put him in second place in Culverden ward.

He agreed other parties were adopting his party’s policies, adding: "Even the Conservatives are turning green."

Conservative MP for Tunbridge Wells Greg Clark said the results both in Tunbridge Wells and all over the country hint at success at the next general election.

"It’s been a very successful night," said Mr Clark. "We’ve had gains all over the country, especially in areas that for a long time have not been core Conservative areas.

"I have a lot of respect for Ronnie Ooi personally but Labour has been punished for its mistakes nationally.

"It’s been a very strong performance for the Conservatives to win a net gain of three seats including Pembury, Rusthall and Southborough – traditional Liberal Democrat strongholds.

"It bodes well for the General Election."