MOREDON; CON GAIN: The Moredon result came in at 1.50am this morning.

Long-standing councillor Jim D'Avila pulled in 38 per cent of the vote, but it was not enough, and Tory Colin Lovell took the seat with nearly 44 per cent.

The result was the latest in a year-on-year decline of Labour's support in the ward.

Last year, Labour clung on by just 28 votes on 40 per cent to the Tories' 39 per cent.

The year earlier Labour had been ahead with 46 per cent to the Conservatives' 35 per cent.

Turnout this year, at nearly 30 per cent, was the same as last year's Swindon-wide average.

The Conservative victory is likely to give them confidence to campaign in other areas traditionally regarded as Labour strongholds in future elections.