Independents are winners in Montgomeryshire

The Independents were the runaway winners in Montgomeryshire at the Powys County Council elections, winning 14 of the 20 seats up for grabs.

However, the biggest story was in Newtown, where Conservatives Richard White and Francis Torrens lost their seats to Liberal Democrat challengers Joy Jones and Gemma Bowker.

Mrs Jones said: "I am over the moon. Thank you to all who voted for me and all the best to my opponents - the hard work starts here."

Turn out for the elections was described as "disappointing" by John Evans, council spokesman, but said there had been a number of tightly contested seats.

In Welshpool, long-serving Independent Ann Holloway secured 358 votes to the Lib Dem John Morgan who got 355.

Councillor Holloway said: "I just want to thank everyone who came out to vote."

Montgomeryshire Results:

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North: Gemma Bowker (Lib Dem): 524; Francis Torrens (Con) 189.

Newtown South: Bob Mills (Ind) 177; Rex Shayler (Con) 27; Matt Tisdale (Lab) 85; Philip Watkins (Lib Dem) 42.

Newtown East: Joy Jones (Lib Dem) 266; Richard White (Lib Dem) 103; Richard Edwards (Plaid Cymru) 87.

Welshpool Llanerchydol: Ann Holloway (Ind) 358; John Morgan (Lib Dem) 355.

Welshpool Castle: Philip Pritchard (no party) 192; Estelle Bleivas (no party) 98; Ian Bradley (Con) 61.

Welshpool Gungrog: Francesca Jump (Lib Dem) 445; Stephen Kaye (Con) 242.

Rhiwcynon: Joy Shearer (Ind) 487; David Oliver (Ind) 447.

Churchstoke: Michael Jones (no party) 333; Rob Harper (Lib Dem) 273.

Llanbrynmair: Dai Jones (Ind) 181; Sarah Reast (Ind) 148; Harry Hughes (Con) 81.

Dolforwyn: Wynne Jones (Ind) 405; Ian Harrison (Con) 308; John Rowland (Ind) 63.

Llanidloes: Gareth Morgan (Ind) 661; John Whittal-Williams (Con) 306.

Caersws: Rachel Davies (Ind) 528; Ann Lewis (Con) 309.

Llansantffraid: Robert Thomas (Con) 441; Digby Davies (Ind) 244; Nick Powell (UKIP) 65.

Montgomery: Stephen Hayes (Ind) 374; Nicholas Bardsley (Con) 71.

Forden: LInda Corfield (Ind) 257; Jan Chilton (Con) 254.

Kerry: Kath Roberts-Jones (Ind) 334; Benjamin Breeze (Con) 308.

Llandinam: Roche Davies (Ind) 404; Philip Freeman (Ind) 219.

Llandysilio: Arwel Jones (Ind) 348; Leigh Kellaway (Con) 87; Nick Savage (Ind) 56.

Llanfair Caereinion: Viola Evans (Ind) 300; Sue Callery (Lib Dem) 122; Christine Williams (UKIP) 108.

Trewern: Dawn Bailey (Ind) 290; Jessica Bradley (Con) 159.

The uncontested seats:

Newtown Central: Russell George (Con)

Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West: Peter Harris (Con)

Meifod: Eldrydd Jones (Ind)

Llanfyllin: Peter Lewis (Con)

Berriew: Dai Davies (Ind)

Glantwymyn: Gwilym Vaughan (no party)

Llanwyddyn: Darren Mayor (Ind)

Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant/Llansilin: Aled Davies (CON).

Machynlleth: Michael Williams (Ind)

Banwy: Myfanwy Alexander (Annibynnol)

Guilsfield: David Jones (Ind)

Llandrinio: Graham Brown (no party)

Blaen Hafren: Graham Jones (Con)

Llanfihangel: Barry Thomas (Ind)