They have claimed four out of the six Berwick-Upon-Tweed seats, one less than the 2005 election after David Wilson lost his Berwick North seat.

Current leader of Berwick Borough Council, Isabel Hunter, won Berwick West with Ord with over 56% of the 1023 votes cast. Trevor Tyler (Con) polled 35.5%, and David Buckle (Lab) 7.9%.

Turnout was just 30%, significantly down on previous elections in 2005 and 2001.

Jim Smith won the Berwick East ward, again for the Lib Dems, with 58.8% of the vote. Howard Ligg (Con) came second with 25.8%, with Diana Herbert (Lab) third with 15.4%.

Turnout in this ward was a mere 22.9%.

Pat Scott (LD) won Bamburgh with 45.8% of votes, but with has a majority of just 7.7% over John Woodman (Con). Richard Paterson (Ind) polled 12.5%, and Carol Griffiths (Lab) 3.6%.

Turnout in Bamburgh ward was 49.2%

All three wards are holds for the Liberal Democrats but the last ward to be announced saw the Lib Dems lose Berwick North as Independent Brian Douglas took the seat which formerly was held Diana Beith.

Douglas polled 36.8% of vote, edging out Lib Dem candidate David Wilson (32.8%) by just 56 votes. Alan Bowlas (Con) had 26.3%, while Labour's Brian Roxby claimed just 4.1% of the votes.

The turnout in Berwick North was 39.7%, massively down on the 62.7% who voted in both the 2005 and 2001 elections.

Meanwhile, Dougie Watkin held the Norham and Islandshires ward for the Lib Dems, polling 55.7%, ahead of Nick Dickinson (Con) on 39.4% and Alison Edwards (Lab) with 4.9%. Turnout was 52.6%.

Anthony Murray held Wooler for the Conservatives. He polled 63.9% ahead of Labour's John Davidson (19.1%) and Forbes Grant for the Liberal Democrats (17%). Turnout was 48.1%.


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LABOUR are the only losers in the unitary council elections for Northumberland, losing 18 seats from the 2005 elections to leave them with just 17.

Labour's loss means the Conservatives now have as many seats as their rival's as they gained three wards.

The number of Independent councillors has also increased from four to seven, but the big winners are the Liberal Democrats, who now hold 26 wards, up from 14 in 2005.