BLUE is still the colour of local politics in Dorset. Voters have returned the Conservatives to power at County Hall.

Tory candidates were elected in 24 of the 45 wards to remain in outright control of Dorset County Council. The Conservatives fought off fierce challenges from the Liberal Democrats who improved their 2001 tally by two councillors to a total of 16.

Labour is still a minority presence at County Hall with four members - all from Weymouth and Portland - while there remains one independent.

Voters went to the polls across Dorset in huge numbers with turn-out up more than 11 per cent at 77.8 per cent. There were few shocks in any of the county's 45 wards - three more wards than in previous years because of boundary changes.

The Liberal Democrats gained two seats from the Conservatives in Blackmoor Vale and Shaftesbury, but the Tories hit back by snatching Beaminster and the newly created Linden Lea and Chickerell and Chesil Bank wards. In Weymouth and Portland voters generally kept the faith with serving county councillors. Labour retained its four seats through wins for Harry Burden (Broadwey), Mike Byatt (Westham), Anne Kenwood (Portland Harbour) and Clare Sutton (Rodwell).

Peter Farrell (Weymouth Town) and Brian Ellis (Lodmoor) retained their respective wards for the Liberal Democrats. Les Ames remains the sole independent on the county council having won his Portland Tophill ward.

Meanwhile, Dorchester is still a Liberal Democrat stronghold with Trevor Jones and Richard Biggs retaining county seats.

But the Lib Dems failed to make any significant breakthrough into the west of the county, with rural voters showing support for the Conservative administration. There were wins for Sandra Brown (Bridport), Ronald Coatsworth (Bride Valley), Peter Gregson (Beaminster) and Ronald Nash (Chickerell and Chesil Bank).

Fellow Tories David Crowhurst (Linden Lea) and county council chairman John Peake (Three Valleys) were also celebrating being returned to County Hall.

The Liberal Democrats claimed both seats in by-elections in Dorchester Town Council wards.