Labour takes a pounding at Littlehampton

Twelve years after sweeping into power on the town council, Labour was left with just three members, losing five seats overall.

The Conservatives gained five seats to finish the strongest group, with six, but the town council will be under no overall control, as the Liberal Democrats remain with five councillors and town mayor Malcolm Belchamber, an Independent, held his seat.

Among Labour's casualties on the town council was mayor-elect Wendy Squires, who also lost her River ward seat on Arun District Council.

Former mayor David Dyball was another two-time loser on Arun and the town council.

The Tories strengthened their grip on Arun, gaining six seats to make a total of 42, with the Liberal Democrats remaining on nine seats, Labour losing five to finish with just three and "others" down from three to two.

In the whole of Arun, Labour now has councillors only in Littlehampton: Mike Northeast, Mark Butler and Tony Squires.

Candidates and party workers blamed the Government's record on issues such as the Iraq War for Labour's poor results in Littlehampton.

Littlehampton Town Council results:

Beach ward. Elected: James Walsh* (LibDem), 962; Nick Wiltshire* (LibDem), 825; Emma Neno (Con), 695. Also stood, Margaret Boulton (LibDem), 641; Derek Hulmes (Con), 523; Robert East (UKIP), 230; Monica Dibble (Lab), 164. Turnout: 44 per cent.

Brookfield ward. Elected: Joyce Bowyer (Con), 550; Alan Gammon* (Con), 510; Irene Richards (LibDem) 399. Also stood, Mark Foster (LibDem), 394; Trevor Richards (LibDem), 364; David Dyball* (Lab), 291;

Steve McConnell (Lab), 236; Andy Parker (Lab), 227; Mike Spencer (UKIP), 134. Turnout: 30.4 per cent.

Ham ward. Elected: Mike Northeast* (Lab), 393; George O'Neill* (Lab), 369; Delma Mayer-Pezhanzki (Con) 334. Also stood, Nick Owen (Lib), 333; John Singleton* (Lab), 309; Jenny Weights (Lib), 306; Clare Owen (Lib) 304; Carol Watton (LibDem), 225. Turnout: 27.64 per cent.

River ward. Elected: Malcolm Belchamber* (Ind), 465; Ian Buckland (LibDem), 386; Mark Butler* (Lab), 367. Also stood, Anchorette Blackstone (LibDem), 366; Laurence Forster (Con), 314; Wendy Squires* (Lab), 290; Norma Baker (UKIP), 231; Stan Nattrass (Lab), 230; Bill Weights (Lib), 135. Turnout 31.2 per cent.

Wick with Toddington ward. Elected: June Caffyn (Con), 523; Dave Botting (LibDem), 449; David Britton (Con), 436. Also stood, David Jones* (LibDem), 417; Dave Leggatt* (LibDem), 386; Tony Squires (Lab), 308; Rosie Orpin* (Lab), 299; Alan Butcher (Lab), 281; Mary Lees (UKIP), 193. Turnout: 36.45 per cent.

KEY: Con '” Conservative; Ind '” Independent; Lab '” Labour; Lib '” Liberal Party; Lib-Dem '” Liberal Democrat; UKIP '” UK Independence Party. * denotes sitting councillor before election.

* See separate story for Arun election results.