WEEKS of election speculation came to an end on Tuesday, much to the relief of local councillors.
The general election will take place with the Hampshire County Council election on June 7. The county election had previously being delayed because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.
The Prime Minister Tony Blair made the announcement earlier this week in front of an audience of school children after visiting the Queen to ask for the dissolution of Parliament.
Four years ago the Tories snatched control of the county council from a Lib Dem/Labour coalition after winning a number of key seats from the Lib Dems, including both the Petersfield and Bramshott seats.
This year's election is expected to be hotly contested with the sitting councillors pleased that they can finally get their campaigns on track.
County councillor John Filer (Conservative) who covers the Headley ward said: "I am delighted that it has been called. We have been waiting a long time for this."
Mr Filer was confident that the Tories would maintain control of the county council and said that he looked forward to a good campaign on all sides.
"I think that I can say on behalf of myself and our local MP James Arbuthnot that we have been looking forward to this and will be working very hard."
Similar feelings were expressed by Michael Cartwright (Conservative) who covers the Liss ward.
"We have been expecting this announcement for some time. I don't think that they could have put off the county council elections for a second time," he said.
John West (Conservative), whose Petersfield ward covers some of Bordon and surrounding villages including Greatham, said that county councillors had been in a state of limbo since the original date for the local elections of May 3 was put back.
He said: "It has been a bit of a long wait really, because we haven't been able to do anything, but we are now raring to go and I can't wait to get out there. I am looking forward to the challenge."