COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION: Chippenham Mayor Ross Henning scraped home by just 28 votes to win a seat on Wiltshire County Council 20 years to the day since he was first elected to the body.

He served as county councillor from May 1985 to September 1986.

Coun Henning will now represent voters as a town, district and county councilllor.

He said: "I know Nina Phillips worked hard but I am very pleased with the result. Because I am a town, district and county councillor I want to follow a Chippenham thread throughout the three councils. I have had a high profile all these years and that has helped me a lot. I would like to thank all the people for their support. My mayoral year ends on Tuesday and I hope to transfer the same energy into my county role."

County council election results for the North Wiltshire district area saw eight Tory candidates win in wards compared to six Liberal Democrats.

Conservative county council leader Jane Scott retained her seat in Kington, polling 3288 votes, compared to Liberal Democrat candidate David Inker who got 1356 while Labour's Susan Beasley came third with 507 votes.

Coun Scott was delighted with the result. She said: " I have been leader of the county council for two years and we want to be a transparent council that acts on the priorities of Wiltshire people."

In Corsham, Peter Davis of the Liberal Democrats retained his seat for a third time polling 2,432 votes compared to 1,754 votes in 2001. Richard Tonge, Conservative, was second with 1,327 votes and Labour's Judith Hible came third with 819 votes.

Coun Davis said he was very pleased to win the seat again and he would continue to ensure Corsham got proper attention from the county in his new term.

In Malmesbury, county councillor John Thomson kept his seat polling 3228 votes, and saw off the challenge from Liberal Democrat candidate Frances Goldstone, who got 1868 votes. Arnold Shaw representing Labour got 614 votes.

Coun Thomson said: "I am very humbled to have the huge support of the people of Malmesbury. I

assure them I will do my best."

In Chippenham Pewsham, Liberal Democrat candidate Sylvia Doubell won, polling 1789 votes. Conservative candidate Howard Greenman came second with 1570 votes and Labour candidate David Pool came third with 619 votes.

The district councillor said she was delighted. She said: "I am hoping to keep my recycling portfolio at district and transfer that to county level."

In Chippenham West, Liberal Democrat Judy Rooke won the seat with 1917 votes, compared to Conservative candidate Elizabeth Kennedy, who got 1714 votes. Labour's Julie Lawrence got 757 votes.