Liberal Democrats are celebrating victory across west Dorset following town council election results. 

The recent expansion of the Bridport Town Council boundary to take in some nearby communities meant that electors in the former parish areas of Allington, Bothenhampton & Walditch, and Bradpole, along with some whose homes now come under Bridport rather than Symondsbury, voted in one of five new town council wards.

The new wards within Bridport Town Council are; Bothenhampton and Walditch, Bradpole, Bridport Central, Bridport West and Allington, along with West Bay. 

Following the election, the town council is now made up of 15 Liberal Democrats members, three Green Party members, one Labour Party member and one independent. 

The count took place on Saturday, May 4 at the Redlands Sports Centre on Dorchester Road, Weymouth. 

The first vote to be called saw current Mayor of Bridport, Dave Bolwell, elected to represent the West Bay ward. He received 264 votes with fellow Liberal Democrat, Ann Langridge, joining him after receiving 207 votes. Richard Edwards received 150 votes. 

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: Cllr Dave Bolwell and Cllr Ann Langridge at the callCllr Dave Bolwell said: "The Bridport team have done fantastic work. A huge thanks to all of the efforts of the deliverers and candidates throughout the election. I'm proud to be representing the people of West Bay."

Cllr Ann Langridge added: "A massive thank you to everyone who voted in force in these elections."

It was a close election in Bradpole, with Labour Party candidate Anna Killick clinching the last of five available seats in the ward by 30 votes. Ian Bark, Nigel Amor, Paddy Mooney and Robert Casey were also elected. 

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: The call for the Bradpole Ward, with Leslie Chilcott, Anna Killick and Ian Bark picturedCllr Killick became Bridport's only Labour Party representative. She said: "I'm really pleased. Lots of Bridport residents do want to support Labour and hopefully this is the beginning of something big for Labour in the council."

Former Bridport mayor, Cllr Ian Bark, said: "It was a wonderful turnout. A good day for the Liberal Democrats in Bridport and we're looking forward to repeating that at the general election."

Elsewhere Liberal Democrat councillor Bridget Bolwell joins her husband David on the town council, representing the Bothenhampton and Walditch Ward. She is joined by Liberal Democrats Andrew Holdridge and Anne Rickard. 

Four Liberal Democrat candidates; Dave Rickard, Sarah Williams, David Worthington and Nigel Rawlings were elected for the Central Ward and will be joined by Green Party's Kelvin Clayton. 

Julian Jones (Green Party), Jonathon Bourbon (Liberal Democrats), Sarah Carney (Independent), Bev Thornton (Liberal Democrats) and Steve Williams (Liberal Democrats) were elected for the Bridport West and Allington Ward. 

Lyme Regis was among the areas in the county that failed to attract enough candidates for an election to take place.

Meanwhile in Beaminster, only eight candidates put themselves forward for the 11 seats on the town council so no election was held. 

Parish councils for West Dorset were also decided when voters went to the polls on Thursday, May 2. The small parish of Pilsdon in West Dorset had one of the biggest turnouts of the day with 60 per cent, representing an electorate of just 25 people. Jane Gillingham retained her seat. 

For a full list of election results, visit the Dorset Council website on https://tinyurl.com/3h5jhxe7