Tories take control of Somerset

The Conservatives have taken overall control of Somerset after 16 years under the Liberal Democrats.

Tory leader David Cameron highlighted it as a key possible win and visited during the election campaign.

The Conservatives now have 35 seats, an increase of 11, the Lib Dems have 21, having lost nine and Labour have two, with the loss of two.

The new council leader and chairman will be elected on 24 June at the next full council meeting.

BBC reporter Dickon Hooper said: "It has been a close-run contest, but apart from the Lib Dem-run Bristol, the West Country is completely Tory-run."

The Conservatives now form the ruling group in Somerset, having won control from the Liberal Democrats for the first time since 1989.