CONSERVATIVES again took the majority within Selby District Council but some Labour stalwarts also returned to their seats.

For the Tories, Elizabeth Casling retained Escrick, Chris Pearson held Hambleton, Ian Reynolds retained Riccall, John Cattanach retained Cawood and Wistow.

John Mackman retained Monk Fryston, David Hutchinson took South Milford, while Don Mackay, Chris Metcalfe and Richard Sweeting took three Tadcaster seats, and Karl Arthur and Jim Deans took Derwent.

Labour candidates Steph Duckett retained Barlby Village, while Jack Crawford held Byram and Brotherton.

It was a also a strong Labour result in Selby East as Brian Marshall, Wendy Nichols and Paul Welch each took seats, while in Eggborough, Independent Mary McCartney won.

There were cheers as Debbie White took the Whitley seat for the Conservatives, while Tory seats also went to Cliff Lunn, in Thorpe Willoughby, along with Dave Peart and Mike Jordan, both Camblesforth and Carlton.

One surprise result was Labour stalwart Steve Shaw-Wright, who lost his Selby West seat to Conservative Judith Chilvers. His wife Jennifer kept a seat in the same ward, as did Jude Thurlow who are both Labour.

Two more Conservatives seats went Keith Ellis and Richard Musgrave in the Appleton Roebuck & Church Fenton ward.

Mark Crane, along with fellow Tory Ian Chilvers, took the Brayton ward.

Cllr Crane said this was a great win for the Conservatives, which left them with a majority of 22 out of 31 seats.

He said: "I think it's an excellent result for the party and the group. We are delighted and I hoped to retain control of the council, but to retain 22 of the seats on offer is well beyond our target.

"I was slightly surprised that we held Whitley against a strong challenge from John McCartney and he worked very hard in the ward, but Debbie White proved a strong candidate and defeated him."

Of Steve Shaw-Wright's defeat, he paid tribute to the efforts he has put into the district council over a number of years.

Councillor Crane said there would be a group meeting next week to determine who would lead the council - a role he has previously held - but would not say whether he would put his name forward.

Sherburn In Elmet was the final ward to be announced yesterday, with seats going to Labour's Bob Packham, and Conservatives Mel Hobson and David Buckle.

The final tally:

Conservatives - 22 seats
Labour - eight
Independents - one.