POLITICAL battle lines have been drawn after a breakaway group of East Hampshire District councillors gave a dire warning of a "destabilised district council", hell bent on "turning back the clock".

Conservatives Hilary Ayer, her husband Bob and the former chairman of East Hampshire District Council Pat Seward crossed the floor of the council chamber at the district council's annual meeting last Thursday, after Ferris Cowper won a vote and became the new council leader.

The way was made clear for Mr Cowper to take over the reins for the second time within the last four years after Ken Moon was forced to resign as leader.

This followed a six-month bitter campaign to oust him from power by some members of the Conservative group.

But on Thursday night Mr Cowper, who had himself been deposed as leader in 2009 by his party, has returned triumphant after the second leadership challenge this year.

For full story, see this week's Bordon Herald.