THE Conservatives and Liberal Democrats gained seats in Cherwell elections as voters turned against Labour.

The Tories ousted two Labour candidates in Banbury, and the Lib Dems took a seat from Labour in Kidlington South.

In Banbury, Alyas Ahmed, the vice-chairman of the Cherwell Taxi Drivers' Association, won Neithrop ward for the Tories a seat Labour had held for more than 30 years and in Grimsbury another first-time candidate, Margaret Cullip, won the seat vacated by Labour's Richard Collins.

A big shock came in Kidlington South in the ward previously held by Labour group leader Andrew Hornsby-Smith, who stood down at this election.

Lib Dem Devena Rae romped home, with Labour relegated to third place behind Conservative Mary Young. The fourth candidate in the ward, Janet Warren of the Greens, totalled only 148 votes.

Only the long-serving and ever-popular George Parish (Banbury Ruscote) carried the flag for Labour. Mr Parish is chairman of the Save the Horton Hospital action group, and a campaigner for the re-opening of the outdoor swimming pool.

Banbury MP Tony Baldry said: "These are the best results for the Conservatives in Banbury since the 1970s."

***Full results from noon today. Go to 'News', then 'Election 2006'***