The Liberal Democrats were celebrating a rout in Eastbourne as they almost wiped out the Conservatives' presence in the town.

The Tories were left reeling after being reduced to just seven seats out of 27. The other 20 were all won by Lib Dems, giving the party a majority of 13.

The biggest scalp of the night was council leader Ian Lucas, in the Old Town ward.

Both parties agreed that two issues dominated on the doorsteps - parking charges and councillors' expenses.

Members recently voted themselves a big rise in expenses, while unpopular parking charges are due to introduced in the town this year.

The charges are being brought in by East Sussex County Council, although the Lib Dems were able to point out that the Conservatives control the county.

It is probably no coincidence that the highest turnout was in Old Town ward, where the charges are likely to hit hardest. This is where former Councillor Lucas and his two fellow Tories were ousted. The trio were among five sitting councillors - all Conservative - to lose their seats.

David Tutt, who garnered the second highest personal vote, will lead the new council. His party lost power with a whimper three years ago when one seat slipped from its grasp.

It's back with a bang.