Worthing's ruling Liberal Democrats were routed at the polls as the Tories swept back into power with a substantial majority.

The biggest casualty of the night was Lib Dem council leader Sheila Player, who was earmarked to become mayor in 2004-05 but lost her seat in Selden ward by a handful of votes.

She paid the price for warning earlier in the year that Worthing Museum and Art Gallery and the Aquarena pool might have to close to limit a sharp rise in council tax.

The suggestion sparked outrage around the town.

Miss Player was joined in defeat by fellow Lib Dem Maurice Tucker, executive councillor for leisure.

Her defeat paves the way for Tory Jack Saheid to become Worthing's first Muslim mayor.

It was a night of joy for the Conservatives, who picked up 26 seats while the Lib Dems slumped to 11.

The turnout was considerably higher than in 2003 thanks partly to postal votes.

The count at the Assembly Hall finished at 5am after five recounts to decide the third councillor in Castle ward.

BROADWATER Elected: *Geraldine Lissenburg (LD) 1,054, Kevin Skepper (LD) 913, Donald Allen (LD) 902 Not elected: Jennifer Cuer-Green (C) 824, David Lafferty (C) 769, Ann Terry (C) 787, Benjamin Colkett (G) 384, John Turley (L) 272 CASTLE Elected: *Claire Potter (LD) 1,093, Robin Rogers (LD) 1,090, John Rogers (C) 1,081 Not elected: Benjamin Bonetti (LD) 1,078, Gina Taylore (C) 1,042, Ruth White (C) 1,012 CENTRAL Elected: Martin Coppard (C) 797, Clive Roberts (C) 762, Mary Freeland (LD) 753 Not elected: *Maurice Tucker (LD) 721, Mary Lermitte (C) 701, *Janet Goldsbrough-Jones (LD) 700, Alice Hinton (G) 377, Peter Barnes (L) 260 DURRINGTON Elected: Richard Falk (C) 744, Ann Sayers (C) 677 Not elected: Mark O'Keeffe (LD) 621, Keith Sunderland (LD) 580, John Dwyer (G) 295 GAISFORD Elected: Margaret Barlow (C) 1,014, Bryan Turner (C) 1,000, Kenneth Brady (C) 983 Not elected: Peter Medcalf (LD) 914, *Donald Lissenburg (LD) 909, Alan Rice (LD) 890, Marie Hillcoat (G) 409, Julia Young (L) 274 GORING Elected: *Nick John (C) 2,138, Fiona Green (C) 2,055, *Steven Waight (C) 2,044 Not elected: Stephen Paris (LD) 677, Malcolm Grace (LD) 611, Susan Withnell (LD) 606, Karen Clayton (L) 317 HEENE Elected: *Paul High (C) 1,121, *John Livermore (C) 1,116, *George Stephens (C) 1,080 Not elected: *Christine Allen (LD) 560, Alan Jones (LD) 492, Christopher Taylor (G) 393, Christopher Ralls (LD) 387, Niall Duffy (L) 302, Sarah Chalk (Legalise Cannabis Alliance) 173 MARINE Elected: Joan Bradley (C) 1,713, *Keith Mercer (C) 1,640, *Tom Wye (C) 1,637 Not elected: Susan Millard (LD) 586, Patricia Izod (LD) 499, Lucielle Colkett (G) 488, Brian Stephenson (LD) 469, Barrie Slater (L) 290 NORTHBROOK Elected: Mary Harding (C) 410, Alan Whiteley (C) 367 Not elected: Val Capon (LD) 288, Merlin Jones (LD) 247, Dawn Smith (Stop Durrington's Overdevelopment) 216, Thelma Brown (G) 165 OFFINGTON Elected: *Mark McCarthy (C) 1,857, *Graham Fabes (C) 1,837, *Reg Green (C) 1,828 Not elected: Paul Daniels (LD) 674, David Moynan (LD) 567, Maria Moynan (LD) 559 SALVINGTON Elected: *Jacqui Marsh (C) 1,656, Noel Atkins (C) 1,617, Heather Mercer (C) 1,517 Not elected: *Iona Baker (LD) 725, Samantha O'Keeffe (LD) 638, Stephen Bates (LD) 630, Derek Colkett (G) 456 SELDEN Elected: *Jack Saheid (C) 1,185, *James Doyle (LD) 1,161, Christine Brown (LD) 1,149 Not elected: *Sheila Player (LD) 1,108, David Turner (C) 1,038 Sarah-Jane King (C) 1,025 TARRING Elected: *John Lovell (LD) 1,247, *Hazel Thorpe (LD) 1,169, *Bob Smytherman (LD) 1,077 Not elected: Kate Brady (C) 725, David Ide (C) 709, Geoffrey Bird (C) 706, Ian Sandell (I) 338 Results key:

denotes sitting councillor
C Conservative G Green I Independent L Labour LD Liberal Democrat UKIP United Kingdom Independence Party BNP British National Party