JIM D'Avila, who had served as a Swindon councillor for 28 years, was this morning dumped by voters in favour of Tory Colin Lovell.

The Conservatives always looked like they were in with a good chance: last year Labour clung on to its Moredon seat by just 28 votes.

But losing Mr D'Avila the party's spokesman on cultural change and former parliamentary candidate will be hard for many party activists to swallow.

The Amicus regional organiser fought hard against the Conservatives' decision to close Lease Hill care home, and his high profile might have been expected to protect him from the full force of the Conservative swing.

But he was not to be spared.

Support for Jean Walker of the Socialist Alternative party which was nudging five per cent contributed to Labour's downfall here, and the government's invasion of Iraq and handling of the subsequent and ongoing occupation could well have prompted traditional Labour supporters to lend their vote to an anti-war party.

"I'm clearly saddened by the result but more by the fact my long period of representing the people in Moredon will come to an end," said Mr D'Avila after the result was announced.

"There has been a national swing against Labour and Labour supporters are not enthused to vote."

Coun Lovell said the Tories had campaigned in Moredon on local issues.

"We have brought to the attention of people the amounts that taxes have been going up," he said.

"Swindon failed an Ofsted and education has been suffering so badly."

On controversial plans to build a football stadium on the site of Shaw Community Forest, Coun Lovell said he was aware of the amount of public opposition to the scheme.

"People I have talked to are against it and I'm pretty sure I shall go against it but the football club hasn't made a planning application yet."

As for his ambitions, Coun Lovell said it was time to deliver on education and social services.

"This is our year of delivery," he added.

Andy Tate