FINALLY, twenty-six hours after the polling stations closed, Canterbury had

a result in the local council elections.

Returning officer, Canterbury City Council's chief exececutive Colin Carmichael,concluded after the fifth recount that he was satisfied the result should stand.

In the end there was just one vote in it, with 22-year-old Liberal Democrat

candidate Cllr Chris Took taking the vital third seat in the Barton ward.

In beating off competition from Tory candidate Michael Northey, Mr Took

robbed the Conservative group of an outright majority on the council.

It now leaves the door open to a possible continuation of the ruling coalition between Labour and the Lib Dems.

Cllr Alex Perkins said he was thrilled by the result, although he and Labour

chief Ron Pepper are yet to discuss with their respective members whether

the alliance will be reinstated.

At the end of a very long day, Cllr Perkins said: "We have 19 seats, the

Conservatives have 24, Labour have seven. The Tories can't form an administration. All I can say is it's been a lovely day."