VOTERS in Bromley handed the Tories their biggest political majority in the borough since 1982.

The party won 49 out of a possible 60 seats, with Labour clinging on to four and the Lib Dems slumping to seven.

In the space of a few short hours the political map of Bromley was turned almost entirely blue as the Conservatives exceeded their own expectations.

The first shock of the night came with the loss of Biggin Hill by the Lib Dems. Geoff Gostt, who had represented the people of Biggin Hill for 12 years was among the two Lib Dems ousted from office.

The Conservatives then managed to gain three seats in Orpington from the Lib Dems.

But the biggest upset was left until the final recount, shortly after 4am on Friday, when the Tories won two out of three seats in Cray Valley West, beating former Labour group leader John Holbrook, who had served the area as a councillor for 20 years.

Conservative group leader and front-runner to be re-elected council leader, Cllr Stephen Carr, was glowing with joy as the results rolled in.

"This is a tremendous result," he said. "It means that we will be able to continue improving the quality of life for people in Bromley. This is not just a reaction to an unpopular Labour government – the mere fact that we managed to gain so many seats from the Lib Dems shows that."

Labour managed to cling on to all its three seats in Penge.

FULL STORY AND REACTION TO THE RESULT WILL APPEAR IN NEXT FRIDAY'S BROMLEY EXTRA