The Tories have kept the same number of seats in Wealden District Council's elections but they will be looking for a new leader after Nigel Coltman lost his seat.

Mr Coltman had served as the top man for four years and on the council for eight, representing Hailsham East, but he lost his seat by 55 votes to Liberal Democrat Brian Cock.

He said: "Personally I feel very happy with the decision of the electors of Hailsham East. I have really enjoyed representing them and leading Wealden Council.

"After the result was announced I had various people from all the different parties coming up and in a sense commiserating and thanking me for running the council."

He said he had a "great expectation" that deputy leader, Pam Doodes, who kept her seat in Ninfield and Hooe with Wartling ward, would be chosen to take the position of leader within the next two weeks.

He added that he would continue to serve Hailsham as a town councillor.

Turnout at this year's election was up by 3.5 per cent with 38.5 per cent of people in the district turning out to vote.

The Conservatives kept their 34 seats, the Liberal Democrats lost two, taking them to 12, the Independents and non-affiliated candidates took seven seats and the Green Party gained two.

Liberal Democrat leader Laura Murphy lost her seat in Hailsham Central and North ward to Tory candidate Jo Bentley.

The Lib Dems gained Polegate South Ward from the Independents by one vote and Forest Row was taken from the Conservatives by the Greens.

Three members of the same family were also elected but they are not affiliated to any group. Stephen Shing retained his seat in Willingdon, his son Daniel Shing won a seat in Willingdon and Stephen Shing's wife Oi Lin was elected to Polegate North ward.

The counts took place in Crowborough, Uckfield and Hailsham.