Jubilant Tories have strengthened their grip on Mid Suffolk, increasing their lead over the Liberal Democrats and winning overall control.But it was a dismal showing for Labour who lost both their seats, and now have no representation on the authority.

Jubilant Tories have strengthened their grip on Mid Suffolk, increasing their lead over the Liberal Democrats and winning overall control.

But it was a dismal showing for Labour who lost both their seats, and now have no representation on the authority.

One of the closest calls was at Onehouse Ward, where Green Party candidate John Matthissen ousted the Conservatives by a 16-vote majority. And the biggest upset was in the north of the district where the newly-formed Suffolk Together alliance gained two seats with strong support from residents opposing controversial proposals for a multi-million SnOasis development.

Conservative leader Tim Passmore said: “I am delighted that we had a gain of three seats in that it is an endorsement of the positive campaign we fought on local issues - Stowmarket regeneration, Hartismere Hospital - and we are well aware that we have got to do a lot more improvements.

“I have a lot of agreement with the policy I have seen from Suffolk Together. They want a better deal for the people of Suffolk and so do we. I feel we will be able to work with people like them to get more autonomy for people in Suffolk.”

Liberal Democrat leader Penny Otton said she was not downhearted, despite an over all loss of two seats.

“We are delighted that we have won a seat back in Stowmarket South, and we have actually elected the very first person on Mid Suffolk from an ethnic minority, in Claydon and Barham. And I think there are seats where our vote has gone up considerably.”

The authority's new line up is: Conservatives 22, Liberal Democrats 10, Independents 4, Green 2, Suffolk Together 2.