LIBERAL Democrat leader David Packham lost his seat in a night of drama in north Wiltshire which left the electorate with a hung council.

Mr Packham lost his Lydiards seat to Tory Mollie Groom.

Following a neck-and-neck battle, the Liberal Democrats finally took 26 seats and the Conservatives 25.

The shock result leaves newly-elected Independent councillor Philip Allnatt and sole Labour councillor Christine Reid, holding the delicate balance of power.

Weeks of intensive negotiations are now expected as the Liberal Democrats attempt to form an alliance with councillors Allnatt and Reid, in a bid to push through their policies.

But Councillor Allnatt said he would not be seeking to do deals.

Victorious in Chippenham's Monkton Park ward, Chippenham College lecturer, Allnatt, left the Liberal Democrat party to stand as an Independent candidate at this election.

The Liberal Democrats did not field a candidate to stand against him, but the Conservatives and Green Party both put forward candidates.

Speaking after the count, he said: "I am delighted and especially about the better than predicted voting turnout, which is good not just for me, but for democracy.

"But while the overall result is very interesting, it is important that neither Mrs Reid or I are seen to be the tail wagging the dog at the council.

"I would like to see the two parties come to some arrangement in which we can work together to improve services for everyone.

"I do not think it is right for one councillor to be seen to be holding the rest of the council to ransom."

It was a bittersweet victory for sole Labour councillor, Christine Reid, who won one of two hotly-contested seats in Corsham's Pickwick ward, while three of her fellow Labour members lost theirs.

Former Chippenham mayor and long-standing Labour councillor, Maureen Lloyd, failed to win re-election in Chippenham's Redland ward.

Labour's Steve Wheeler also lost his Corsham seat and Caroline Webber lost her seat in Calne.

The election results now mean that more than half of the 53 councillors on the council are new.

Before the election, the Lib Dems had held 25 seats, five more than the Conservatives.

And while many believed the Conservatives would narrow the gap, or even take control of the council this time around, the final outcome of which way the council would fall hinged on the five seats up for grabs in Wootton Bassett.

In Wootton Bassett North, Liberal Democrats Kerrie Dixon and Stephen Walls took both seats and in Wootton Bassett South, Liberal Democrat Olivia Thomas took one seat and Conservative councillors Christopher Wannell and Peter Roberts the other two seats.

Those results, which came after two recounts, were the last votes in at 3am.

A bitter blow to the Conservatives, the close result now leaves them in opposition for a further four years.

Due to ward changes the council will be served by 53 councillors, one more than previously.

The district council results in Corsham saw little change except for the loss of Labour candidate Steve Wheeler, who has been a councillor for eight years.

In Malmesbury Liberal Democrats Patrick Goldstone and Ann Davis took both seats in the town ward. Malmesbury Conservative candidate Pat Sears and Liberal Democrat, Lesley Bennett, both lost their seats. Coun Sears had represented the town as a district councillor for 20 years.

Conservatives John Thomson and Ian Henderson took the two seats at St Pauls Malmesbury Without and Sherston.

The greatest shock in Calne's district election was the defeat of longstanding Conservative councillor Mercy Baggs who lost her Priestley seat to Liberal Democrat Martin West.

In Lickhill, Labour district councillor Caroline Webber was defeated by Conservative John Ireland.

Liberal Democrat Simon Coy won a seat in Marden ward, but failed in the town council election.

The Liberal Democrats won four of Calne's district council seats and the Conservatives the remaining two.

dwaite@newswilts.co.uk