HASLEMERE swung back to the Conservatives with a bigger majority in Surrey County Council’s election results last week.

Former army officer Richard Hampson repainted the town blue with a resounding 1,849 votes, following four years with independent councillor Nikki Barton in the hot seat.

“I’m very grateful to the people who not only voted for me but took the time to vote,” he told The Herald at the count. “Since leaving the Army, I have wanted to continue to serve my country. As an elected public servant this is an opportunity to serve my town.

The Tory triumph in the town echoed in neighbouring divisions in Waverley, Hampshire and West Sussex, was part of a Conservative landslide that swept across the country in the county council elections.

Surrey now has two more Tory members and is made up of 61 Conservatives, nine Liberal Democrats, five Residents’ Association (including two Farnham Residents), four Independents, one Labour and one Green.

Hampshire County Council has 56 Tories, 19 Lib Dems, two Labour and one Community Campaign (Hart). West Sussex County Council also has 56 Tories, and nine Lib Dems and five Labour.