Liberal Democrats are still in control of the Vale of White Horse District Council -- but the Conservatives mounted a strong challenge and reduced the Lib Dems majority to eight seats.

Labour was wiped out, the Independent candidate clung on to his seat and the Greens failed to make any impression.

The biggest upset came when the deputy leader and executive member Zoe Patrick left the count at the new leisure centre in Abingdon in tears after losing at Grove by only 18 votes where the Tories made a clean sweep of all three seats.

Also falling along the way were long-standing Conservatives Cyril Rudge who first joined the council for Marcham in 1976 and the vice-chairman of the council Rosemary Packer who finished in second place to Graham Ash at Drayton.

Lib Dem councillor since 1991 Angela Lawrence lost out at Harwell.

Of the 51 seats, the Liberal Democrats hold 29 -- down from 33 -- the Tories have 21 -- up six with one Independent councillor. Labour has no representation. It had two seats at Sutton Courtenay, but following boundary changes only one seat was available and that went to a Tory Gervaise Duffield.

The Tories were jubilant at winning seats in Abingdon, Wantage, Grove, Faringdon and Shrivenham but the Liberal Democrats' base was strong in many parts of the Vale including Abingdon where they held on to the majority of seats.

There are three husband and wife teams on the new council. At Kennington and South Hinksey, Jerry and Sylvia Patterson held their seats for the Lib Dems, as did Tony and Mary De Vere in Abingdon wards. At Shrivenham, Tories Peter and Clare Saunders romped home in style -- Mrs Saunders joining her husband who was first elected four years ago.

The leader of the Lib Dems Paul Bizzell topped the poll in Abingdon Caldecott and his opposite number Melinda Tilley had little trouble in retaining her seat for the Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor ward.

Mr Bizzell said there was never any danger of the Lib Dems losing control but admitted that they felt the pressure of the Tories targeting certain key areas at Grove and Abingdon.

He added: "But we have a working majority and will continue to pursue policies that have won the support of the majority of electors. I was sad at the loss of my colleague Zoe Patrick."

For the Tories, Melinda Tilley said the results were better than they expected.