THE Conservatives have won the majority of seats on Eden District Council.

Represented by 38 councillors across 30 district wards, the Tories bagged the 21 seats needed for a majority – up from 15.

But it wasn’t all good news as portfolio holder and Conservative David Whipp lost his seat on Penrith North after a Liberal Democrat win, and another Lib Dem hold for the ward.

The coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats came to an end as the Lib Dems lost three seats, going down from 10 to seven.

It was another blow to the independent parties nine Independent Alliance and four Indpendent Group seats were reduced to just seven registered Independents.

And three seats were won by those not affiliated with any political party.

With 17 contested seats, Alston Moor saw Independent Pat Godwin re-elected with 710 votes alongside Conservative David Hymers with 487 votes.

Michael Slee held onto Askham for the Conservatives with 432 votes while Independent Malcolm Smith retained his Brough seat with 392 votes.

The former Independent Dacre seat was won by Liberal Democrat Judith Derbyshire who polled 503 votes.

Conservative leader Sheila Orchard retained her Hartside seat for the party with 438 votes.

Langwathby was won by Hugh Banks (unknown party) who polled 494 votes.

Penrith Carleton changed hands from the Lib Dems to Conservatives with Paula Breen polling 525 votes.

Lib Dem Grattan Bowen was contesting the seat and scooped 264 votes despite telling people not to vote after taking ill.

Independent Margaret Clark and Conservative Malcolm Temple both retained their Penrith South seats.

And in Penrith West Conservative John Thompson was re-elected with 545 votes with the Liberal Democrats retaining their hold, represented by Virginia Taylor.

The final election of the day to be announced was for Hesket where the Conservatives held onto their seats with councillors Lesley Grisedale and Mary Martin.

Of the 21 uncontested seats, five seats changed political hands.

The Conservatives took hold of three former Liberal Democrat seats and two Independent seats.

An annual meeting will be held on May 21 where registered Indpendent councillors will declare their political allegiance to the Independent Alliance or Independent Group.

The authority will also elect a chair and vice chair at the meeting.