THE only new face on Craven District Council following Thursday's election is Tory Patrick Mulligan, who took the Aire Valley ward.

Coun Mulligan, who already represents the Airedale ward on North Yorkshire County Council, won the seat from the Liberal Democrats after the sitting candidate, Mark Wheeler, stood down because of work commitments.

He took the seat with 738 votes, with his opponent, Alan Hickman attracting 455.

His win notches up the Tories' control at Craven, giving the party 18 seats, while the Liberal Democrats hold two and the Independents nine.

There is one vacant seat in Skipton West following the recent death of Liberal Democrat councillor Polly English.

Coun Mulligan said: "It has been a very positive response. I want to thank the residents for their confidence in me and I will make sure I fight their corner."

His win was in stark contrast to how the Tories performed in Glusburn, where they were pushed into fourth place.

It was the only Craven ward to field a UKIP candidate in Roger Baxendall, who took second place, with 318 votes, behind long-standing Independent Philip Barrett , who notched up 726.

Hazel Keirle, Labour, sneaked into third place with 110 votes, one more than Tanya Graham for the Conservatives.

Coun Barrett said: "I'm very pleased the voters of Glusburn and Cross Hills have re-elected me to serve Glusburn Ward. To have received over 57 per cent of the poll in a four-cornered contest is overwhelming and I would like to thank them all for their support."

Council vice-chairman Linda Brockbank (Cons) held her seat in Bentham, beating off her Labour opponent by 464 votes.

And the longest continually serving councillor, Carl Lis (Cons), was returned in Ingleton and Clapham, marking his quarter century representing local people.

Turnout in most of the nine wards was over 40 per cent , with Penyghent, where Richard Welch (Cons) retained the seat with 430 votes, registering 42.8 percent.

Gargrave and Malhamdale, Glusburn, Ingleton and Clapham, Aire Valley and Lothersdale and Bentham also had over 40 per cent.

Aire Valley with Lothersdale

Alan Hickman (Lab): 455

Patrick Mulligan (Cons): 738

Turnout: 41.7 per cent

Majority: 283.

Bentham

Jim Black (Lab): 350

Linda Brockbank (Cons): 814

Turnout: 41.6 per cent

Majority: 468.

Gargrave and Malhamdale

John Pope (Lab): 281

Alan Sutcliffe (Cons): 715

Turnout: 40.5 per cent

Majority: 434.

Glusburn

Philip Barrett (Ind)

Roger Baxandall (UKIP): 318

Tanya Graham(Cons): 109

Hazel Keirle (Lab): 110

Turnout: 40.8 per cent

Majority: 408.

Hellifield and Long Preston

Chris Moorby (Cons): 500

Brian Parsons(Lab): 192

Turnout: 38.9 per cent

Majority: 308.

Ingleton and Clapham

Carl Lis (Cons): 759

Anthony Macaulay (Ind): 339

Chris Rose (Lab): 191

Turnout: 41.2 per cent

Majority: 420.

Penyghent:

Katherine Lloyd (Lab): 186.

Richard Welch (Cons): 430.

Turnout: 42.8 per cent

Majority: 244.

Settle and Ribblesbank

Peter Madeley (Lab): 350

David Staveley (Cons): 751

Turnout: 38 per cent

Majority: 401.

Sutton in Cravan:

Stephen Place(Ind):828.

Viv Thompson(Lab)194.

Turnout: 35.1 per cent

Majority: 639.