The Lib Dems gained control of two Sussex councils in yesterday's local elections - but were left as a tiny minority in a third.

The Conservatives lost both Eastbourne and Worthing councils to the Lib Dems.

But the party was left as a minority in Adur - which it controlled only a few years ago - after no Lib Dem candidates were put forward.

The Tories romped to the finish line with a clear majority over Labour.

Meanwhile, Labour tightened its grip on Hastings Council, snatching three seats from the Conservatives and Lib Dems.

Labour also held a strong grip on power in Crawley, losing just one seat to the Tories.

In Worthing, the Lib Dems needed two seats to secure a hung council, but went one better. The council now has 19 Lib Dems and 17 Tories.

A number of long-serving councillors stood down, including former mayor David Chapman. But Lib Dem James Doyle returned to the spotlight, winning Selden ward three years after stepping down.

Lib Dem leader Sheila Player said: "We will deliver what we promised. We will strive for a clean and safe Worthing."

In Eastbourne the Lib Dems have 15 seats to the Tories' 12.

Among the Conservative casualties was St Anthony's ward councillor Sheila Charlton.

Eastbourne's Lib Dem leader, Beryl Healy, said: "We were always confident that we were going to win. All the people in Eastbourne we visited were telling us what they felt about the Tories."

In Adur, of the 14 seats up for grabs, nine were won by Tory candidates, one by an independent and nine by Labour.

The council's Tory leader, Neil Parkin, said: "We intend to balance the budget and continue working in co-operation with Worthing to get better services and better value for money for the people."

In Hastings Labour now has 21 seats, the Tories ten and the Lib Dems one. In Crawley there are 23 Labour, seven Conservatives and two Lib Dems.

For the first time in 28 years, all seats in Eastbourne and Hastings, where there have been boundary changes, were contested.

A third of seats were contested on councils in Adur, Worthing and Crawley.

There were no elections in Brighton and Hove or on East and West Sussex county councils.

Nationally, there was shock as the far right British National Party won two seats on Burnley Council.

Independents won control of Elmbridge Council and Wyre Forest went to the independent Kidderminster Hospital/Health Concern group.

And Hartlepool elected football club mascot H'Angus the Monkey as its mayor.