THURSDAY'S county council elections saw the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats share the four divisions in the southern Test Valley two apiece.

Roy Perry (Con, Romsey Extra), Alan Dowden (Lib Dem, Baddelsey), Mark Cooper (Lib Dem, Romsey Town) all held on their seats with increased shares of the votes after Labour's support collapsed.

Labour's vote was down to around 3 per cent in all three divisions - compared to 10 per cent at the last county election.

Andrew Gibson retained Test Valley Central for the Conservatives, taking over the division from county council chairman, Michael Woodhall, who has stepped down.

Speaking after the count at the Crosfield Hall, Romsey, Mr Gibson said: "Michael will be a hard act to follow but I am committed to working as hard as he has for the electorate."

He said the contest had been given extra spice by his sporting rivalry with Richard Rowles, the Lib Dem candidate. Mr Gibson is the chairman of Chilbolton Football Club while Mr Rowles is the president of Wherwell Cricket Club. The two clubs had contested a tug o' war at last year's village fete and the cricketers had emerged victorious.

Mr Gibson said that in his view the election had been dominated by the MPs expenses scandal. "It was very difficult to get people to ask questions about schools, transport or any other issues, " he said.

However, Mark Cooper, said the electorate in Romsey were concerned with local issues and particularly the prospect of more housing on the outskirts of the town.

In his victory speech, Roy Perry said that the voters were showing confidence in the ruling Conservatives and that county had been "under good management for the past four years".

Results: Baddesley : Alan Dowden (Lib Dem) - 3,555 Amanda Ford (Labour) - 196 James Jaggers (Conservative) - 2,132 Romsey : Roy Perry (Conservative) - 3,054 David Stevens (Labour) - 186 Kath Tilling (Lib Dem) - 1,986 Romsey Town Mark Cooper (Lib Dem) - 3,140 David Moran (Labour) - 118 Ian Richards (Conservative) - 2,364 Test Valley Central Division Paul Doran (Labour) -234 Andrew Gibson (Conservative) - 4,063 Stan Oram (UKIP) -702 Richard Rowles (Lib Dem) 1,705