LUDLOW stands as an island of orange in sea of blue following the elections to Shropshire Council.

The Conservatives tightened their grasp on the Unitary Council.

But the Liberal Democrats held all three divisions in Ludlow as well as holding on to Clee, Bishop's Castle and Clun.

One of the best results for the party was recorded by Andy Boddington who comfortably retained the Ludlow North seat that he won from Conservative Rosanna Taylor-Smith in a by-election when she left the area three years ago.

Vivienne Parry was also a clear winner of the seat she took from former Ludlow Parliamentary candidate and Mayor Martin Taylor-Smith in 2013.

Tracey Huffer was a clear winner in Ludlow East and it was a family double with husband Richard retaining Clee in a closer contest.

In Bishop's Castle, Jonny Keeley had a massive majority for the Liberal Democrats, retaining the seat he won last year following the decision of former councillor and parliamentary candidate Charlotte Barnes to stand down for personal reasons.

Two successful senior Liberal Democrats were returned, Nigel Martin, in Clun and Heather Kidd who moves on from retaining Chirbury and Worthen to contest the General Election.

Elsewhere in south Shropshire, senior Conservatives Lee Chapman and David Evans were elected in Church Stretton and Craven Arms where there are two seats.

Another senior Conservative Gwilym Butler won most votes in Cleobury Mortimer with the second seat going to Doreen Madge, the Independent Community and Health Concern candidate.

In Corvedale, Conservative Cecilia Motley saw off the challenge of Labour's Manda Scott to retain her seat.

It was a good night for the Conservatives who added one extra councillor and to further strengthen their hold on the council.

Any thoughts that the party might suffer from the years of austerity and cuts, combined with the fallout from the debacle of the Ipande saga and the resignation of former leader Keith Barrow were quickly dispelled as the votes came in.

Conservatives have been the biggest party with the Liberal Democrats in opposition since the Unitary Council was established in 2009.

In line with results elsewhere, it was a poor night for Labour.

Just two of the wards on Ludlow Town Council were contested but this was enough to see the defeat of long serving former mayor Jim Smithers.

He lost out in Whitcliffe Ward to Tim Gill, who polled 334 votes, and newcomer Nicola Paton whose 148 votes was enough to beat Jim Smithers who got 110 votes.

Jim Smithers is not only a former mayor but was the town council’s representative on Ludlow Chamber of Trade. He had close links with the Royal British Legion and was one of the founding members of Ludlow in Bloom.

In Hayton, the other contested ward, another newcomer Erica Garner came top of the poll with 170 votes, Mark Clarke returns to the town council with 158 votes but Kevin Newbold, with 123, lost out.

The other members of the new Ludlow Town Council who were returned uncontested are: Rose Jones (Bringewood), Colin Sheward (Clee), Glen Ginger and Robin Pote (Corve), Adrian Cobley, Vivienne Parry and Graeme Perks (Gallows Bank) and Diane Lyle (Rockspring).

There are three vacancies that will need to be filled by co-option.