THE Liberal Democrats have increased their number on Huntingdonshire District Council by one seat after the latest round of elections.The Lib Dems made gains from the Conservatives in Buckden and Huntingdon East, while the Conservatives gained a Lib Dem seat in St Neots Eaton Socon.

THE Liberal Democrats have increased their number on Huntingdonshire District Council by one seat after the latest round of elections.

The Lib Dems made gains from the Conservatives in Buckden and Huntingdon East, while the Conservatives gained a Lib Dem seat in St Neots Eaton Socon.

The results leave HDC in Conservative hands, composed of 38 Conservatives, 12 Liberal Democrats and two independent councillors.

In Buckden, Conservative Alan Barber failed to hang on to the seat vacated by Richard Bailey, with Lib Dem Terry Clough polling 281 more votes.

In Huntingdon East, Lib Dem Mike Shellens takes his place on HDC having polled 223 more votes than Conservative candidate Malcolm Lyons.

In St Neots Eaton Socon, Conservative Mandy Thomas polled 291 more votes than sitting Liberal Democrat councillor Derek Giles.

Bereaved mother Maxine Hay, standing against HDC leader Ian Bates in the Hemingfords, polled 462 votes but was unable to usurp the Conservative, who polled 1,412 votes.

Mrs Hay said she was standing against Cllr Bates as she was unhappy with the way she was treated by him over proposed road improvements on the A141 in Huntingdon, where her 16-year-old son Warren died last year.

Other notable results saw Conservative Peter Godley narrowly hang on to the Godmanchester Ward seat, polling 31 votes more than Lib Dem Graham Wilson.

Mr Godley was standing in the seat which became vacant following the death of his wife, Carol, earlier this year.