11.05pm

THE Conservatives remain in command on Hambleton District Council and have taken control of Harrogate Borough Council.

The Tories gained Ripon Minster, where George Pickles ousted independent rival Sid Hawke by four votes after two recounts, and Ripon Spa, although independent Charlie Powell held onto Ripon Moorside.

They gained nine seats across the borough, allowing them to amass a majority of 14. The make-up of the council is now 34 Conservatives, 17 Liberal Democrats and three other councillors.

The Tories still have 39 seats in Hambleton after all the votes were tallied up, with the Liberal Democrats retaining two and independent candidates filling three seats.

Turnout in the district was 46.5 per cent, with Geoff Ellis and Shirley Ann Shepherd being elected in Easingwold for the Conservatives and independent Mike Rigby winning in Huby Sutton.

Thirsk saw a Conservative clean sweep, while council leader Neville Huxtable was re-elected in Topcliffe and Peter Sowray was elected in the uncontested ward of Helperby.

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2.25pm

THIRSK has been taken by the Conservatives, with victories for Derek Adamson, Gareth Dadd and Andy Robinson.

David Hugill has won for the Tories in Swainby, and the Conservatives have claimed both seats in each of the Sowerby, Northallerton Broomfield and Romanby wards.

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2.05pm

EASINGWOLD'S two seats have gone to the Conservatives, with victories for Geoff Ellis and Shirley Ann Shepherd.

The Tories have also won both seats in Bedale, all three in Great Ayton and the single-seat ward of Brompton.

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1.20pm

BOTH seats in the Rudby ward for Hambleton District Council have gone to the Conservatives, while David Smith has been elected as an independent in Crakehall.

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12.45pm

RESULTS are beginning to emerge in the local elections for Hambleton District Council.

Council leader Neville Huxtable has retained his seat in Topcliffe for the Conservatives, winning 550 of the 755 votes cash, while Mike Rigby has been elected as an independent in the Huby Sutton ward.

The Conservatives have also triumphed in Morton-on-Swale, Leeming Bar, Leeming, Broughton and Greenhow, Tanfield and Northallerton North, while Northallerton Central has been split between the Tories and independent candidate John Coulson.

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9.30am

- Stay with us today for the latest on the elections in Harrogate and Hambleton Districts.