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Tories take control
THE Conservatives took overall control of Scarborough Council for the first time in 20 years shortly before dawn today.
The Tories finished a dramatic night with 27 out of the 50 available seats, but had to wait until the results of recounts in two wards were announced before they could celebrate victory.
A sensational evening ended with the loss of Mayor-elect Eileen Vickers, acting Labour leader Ian Stubbs and Liberal Democrat leader Michael Pitts who saw his party reduced to two seats.
Despite the Tories' victory, the party lost long-serving councillors Teddy Sulman and Bill Woodroffe.
In total, eight sitting councillors lost their seats and this, combined with the 14 vacancies created by retirements, means there are 22 new faces on the council this morning.
Penny Marsden, a fierce opponent of much of the council's parking scheme, won a seat in the Weaponness Ward along with her rival, council leader Eileen Bosomworth.
As the result was being announced tempers flared between the two sides. At one stage Stuart Walker, a supporter of Mrs Marsden, and Mrs Bosom-worth's husband Bernard confronted each other, standing almost nose-to-nose, and Mr Walker had to be pulled away.
Cec Ridley, a member of the Sons of Neptune who have campaigned against the new sea wall around the Marine Drive, topped the poll in Newby.
Tim Drake (Ind), the youngest candidate in the elections at 27, pulled off an amazing victory in Falsgrave Park, where he was also top of the pile.
In a night of shocks several other long-standing councillors were kicked out. They included Teddy Sulman (Stepney), Bill Woodroffe (Weaponness), Jim Martin (Newby) and Richard Creasey (Seamer).
The Conservatives had 17 seats after the last elections four years ago when there were 14 Independents, 13 Labour and five Liberal Democrats.
The overall turnout yesterday was 32 per cent.
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
