Three more Conservatives now sit on Craven District Council following the results of the local government elections this afternoon, in which nine seats were up for grabs.

Conservatives won in Bentham ward, in Settle & Ribblebanks ward and in Ingleton & Clapham, where the winner was the former Independent councillor, Carl Lis, who had changed allegiance to the Tories.

It was a high turnout around the district, with more than three-quarters of the electorate casting their vote in both the Penyghent and Gargrave & Malhamdale districts. The lowest turnout, at Sutton, still commanded more than 68 per cent of the electorate.

Speaking after the count, Craven District Council leader Chris Knowles-Fitton (Cons) said: “It’s been a great success for the Conservatives. We are delighted with the result and we are on our way back.”

  • For the results, click on "News" above, and then on "Elections"