IT was a night of success for Conservative Party candidates in the local elections.

In the Odiham ward, John Kennett was re-elected as the Tories held onto their seat. The landslide victory saw them hold from Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP opposition.

Mr Kennett polled 1,380 votes after a 33 per cent turnout.

After retaining his seat, he said: “I am pleased to be re-elected with such a sizeable majority and look forward to helping Hart remain as the best district to live in the entire nation.

“These are difficult times, with grants from central government being cut year after year, but I am confident that as a result of our planning in previous years we will maintain good services for the residents of Hart.”

The Hartley Wintney ward was another area of Conservative dominance, with Anne Crampton keeping her seat, thanks to 1,320 votes in her favour.

With a 33 per cent turnout, she was never in danger of losing her grasp on the area, with Lib Dem candidate Alan Woolford the next closest with 409 votes.

Mrs Crampton said: “I am deeply grateful to everyone who voted for me. I take my duties as a councillor seriously and commit to serving my community for the next four years in every way that I can.

“There are challenges ahead that I look forward to facing and problems to tackle that I am ready to try to find the solutions.

“I not only welcome being contacted for help but have taken real satisfaction in working with the community to over come difficulties."

In the Hook ward, Mike Morris was re-elected, as the Conservatives held onto their seat.

With 1,352 votes, Mr Morris was the overwhelming victor in Hook, after a further 33 per cent turnout.

Overall on the night, however, it was not the results the Conservatives were looking for at the Hart district elections, failing to gain the majority to take complete control of the council.

Despite five ‘holds’ on the night, strong showings from Community Campaign Hart and the Liberal Democrats meant the council was left with no overall controlling group.

One of the main topics of conversation for locals when meeting with candidates was the threat of a Winchfield new town, as well as the recently announced development of the Pyestock site in Fleet.

Elsewhere, there have also been parish elections.

In Hook, Dr Jane Warlock was elected as the new chairman of Hook Parish Council. She takes over the role from Iain Chalmers, who had held the position for two years, but decided to step down this year following work commitments that made it too difficult to balance the two jobs.

He will remain on the council however.

John Orchard was elected as the chairman for the planning committee.

In Odiham, at the council meeting on May 9, there was some movement on the smaller council roles, however, the main positions remained unchanged.

Jon Hale was reappointed as the chairman of Odiham Parish Council, as well as being chosen to remain as the chair of the community committee.

The vice-chairman role on the parish council also remained the same, with James Robinson-Giannasi reappointed by his fellow councillors.