MORE than 240 candidates contested the 76 electoral divisions in the county council elections, with Woking the first district to declare its results.

Returns from the 11 counting centres across Surrey came in throughout the day, with the Conservatives passing the milestone of 39 seats just before 1 pm, which gave then an overall majority on the council.

The last result to come in was Reigate Central, which was captured by the Conservatives from the Liberal Democrats after two recounts.

The Conservatives also took Godstone and Frimley Green and Mytchett from the Liberal Democrats, but lost Sunbury to them.

The Liberal Democrats won Godalming North from Labour, but lost Reigate East to them.

Surrey people cast their votes at more than 600 polling stations across the county. Seventeen county councillors did not seek re-election.

CONSERVATIVE candidate David Munro has held on to his South Farnham seat with the narrowest of margins - just 204 votes separated him and Liberal Democrat candidate Victor Scrivens in the county council elections.

He scraped past Mr Scrivens, who polled 3,223 votes, while Labour candidate Martin Bruffell picked up 582 votes.

After the results were announced, Mr Munro said he was "very pleased indeed" that he had been chosen to represent the residents of South Farnham, but added: "There's no doubt that it has been a Liberal Democrat day".

"We have done well to stem the tide against a very clever and effective campaign by the Liberal Democrats.

"But the electioneering is now over and it's time to move forward in unity to solve the many problems of Farnham, especially South Farnham.

"The number one issue in Wrecclesham is the bypass and the associated works. But highways problems throughout the whole of South Farnham are a key concern as well.

"I'm very grateful to all the dedicated volunteers who worked hard to ensure we got this result and I very much look forward to the challenges of the next four years."

The theme of unity was backed by Mr Scrivens who said: "I am saddened by the result but nevertheless the people of South Farnham have made their decision.

"It's now important for us all to join together to ensure the people's needs are looked after.

"I will continue to push for a bypass and for action to ease the problems of the people who live along the road with the most traffic problems in the county."

Mr Scrivens attributed his gains at the polls to the essence of the national Liberal Democrat campaign, and what he saw as the "failure of the authorities in Surrey" to look after the needs of the people in Farnham.

"They have failed in their responsibility for the people of Wrecclesham and I think the general populus are aware of that. The

ecent demonstrations by local people give a clear indication that they are dissatisfied with the Conservatives.

"This is demonstrated by the amount of people in Farnham who are quite clearly taking the Liberal Democrats seriously. I believe we will be the majority party within two years."

Across Surrey the Conservatives increased their majority by four seats to 51 since 1997, while the Liberal Democrats came second with 13 (17 in 1997).

Labour and the Independent/Residents' Association groups both won six seats, the same as in 1997.

This week SCC leader Nick Skellett commented: "The Surrey electorate has put its trust in us to govern the county for another four years.

"We are grateful for the chance to do that, and from day one I can give an assurance that we will work very hard to justify that trust.

"We have an awesome responsibility when you consider Surrey spends close to a billion pounds a year of public money on essential services like schools, care for older and vulnerable people, roads and environmental protection."

The role of the council, continued Mr Skellett, was "making Surrey a better place" and to achieve this goal it faced "many challenges ahead".

"Our ambitious programme of modernisation will require clear-sightedness and effective leadership.

"This council is equal to the task, but cannot do it alone. We are determined to continue to listen and respond to the people we serve, and undertake our responsibilities in partnership with other councils and agencies."

He said the key issue he would be concentrating on would be a Wrecclesham bypass, but added that he "didn't want to lose site of" the many other issues concerning the town.

Other results:

Farnham Central: Marie King-Hele (Lib/Dem) - 2939; Geraldine Deith (Con) - 2290; David Protheroe (Lab) - 618. Farnham North: Janet Maines (Lib/Dem) - 3,244; Stephen Hill (Con) - 2,404; Amanda Hartley (Lab) - 517. Godalming South and Rural: Maureen Nyazai (Con) - 4,578; Michael Newton (Lib/Dem) - 3,408; Anthony Johnson (Lab) - 998; Haslemere: Christine Stevens (Con) - 3,990; Michael Allan (Lib/Dem) - 3,246; Frederick Trigwell (Lab) - 669; Waverley West: Arthur Foster (Con) 3,851; Nancie Mitchell (Lib/Dem) - 3,453; Linda Featherstone (Lab) - 687.