THURSDAY'S election results at Malvern Hills District Council look set to result in some sort of shared alliance or coalition administration, with intense behind-closed-doors discussions likely to be taking place over the next few days.

The vote, which took place on Friday, saw 13 Conservative members returned to the council, alongside ten independents, nine Lib Dems, five Greens and one Labour councillor.

This represents a loss of ten seats by the Tories, a gain of five by the Lib Dems, three for the independents, two for the Greens and one for Labour.

And among the Tory losses was Roger Hall-Jones, who has been on the district council since 1972.

He had occupied one of the two Priory Ward seats, both of which were lost to the Tories to an independent and a Lib Dem.

The independent in Priory is Cynthia Palmer, who has risen to prominence in the town during a three-year term as mayor of Malvern Town Council.

Lib Dem Tom Wells was returned to his seat as one of the two councillors for Powick, and joining him is his wife of many years Kathy.

She said: "We will be able to work together closely for the benefit of our ward residents."

Another notable victory was for Dan Walton, who secured one of the two Broadheath seats. Mr Walton stood as an independent, but had previously stood as a Labour candidate for West Worcestershire at the last general election.

He said: "For a lot of people, Brexit was the big issue, but going door to door in my ward, I found local issues such as housebuilding to be big concerns."

Similar sentiments were voiced by other candidates, who encountered a widespread disillusionment with politics among many members of the public while they were out canvassing.