The Liberal Democrats have gained seats in Tunbridge Wells but failed to get a majority.

Candidates for a third of the 48 seats were on the ballot papers yesterday, making 16 seats in contention.

The Tunbridge Wells Alliance held nine seats going into the local election, and has gained a further two.

Cllr Nancy Warne of the TWA kept her seat in Benenden and Cranbrook Ward.

The Cabinet Member for Rural Communities and Deputy Leader has served one term on the council, having first been elected in 2019.

The party’s Pembury Ward cllr David Hayward has also been re-elected for a second term, having served as cabinet member for governance and transparency.

The TWA also retained its seat in the Speldhurst and Bidborough Ward, with Paul Curry taking the seat of fellow TWA member Cllr Lucy Willis, who did not run for re-election.

In the Goudhurst and Lamberhurst Ward, Alison Webster of TWA was voted in, replacing Cllr Dr Linda Hall of the Conservatives, who also did not run for re-election.

Cllr Dr Hall has served four terms, first being elected in 2007.

The Tunbridge Wells Alliance also nabbed another Tory seat, in the Park ward.

Siobhan O’Connell received 868 votes, winning the seat of Cllr Christian Atwood of the Conservatives, who received 616 votes.

The Lib Dems also saw positive results, having gone into the elections with fifteen seats, more than any other party.

Cllr Marguerita Morton received the most votes in the St John’s ward and kept her seat for a second term.

The party also retained its seat in Southborough North, with Joe Opara winning the seat and replacing Cllr Trevor Poile who did not run for re-election.

The party also nabbed a seat in Culverden Ward, with David Osborne being voted in and replacing the Independent councillor James Rands, who did not run for re-election.

The Pantiles and St Marks ward also saw a win for the Lib Dems, with Pamela Wilkinson being voted in to replace Independent councillor Andrew Hickey, who did not run for re-election.

Paddock Wood West ward voted in Lib Dem candidate Mark Munday.

Labour retained both its seats which were up for election today, and also gained a third, bringing its total on the council to eight.

Cllr Hugo Pound, who currently serves as the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, won the Sherwood Ward seat with 643 votes.

John Francis won for the Southborough and High Brooms ward, replacing Cllr Luke Everitt, who did not run for re-election.

In Rusthall, Labour candidate Jayne Sharratt took the seat of Lib Dem Cllr Dave Funnel, with 627 votes to 533.

The Conservatives saw a loss of two seats, but managed to retain the Frittenden and Sissinghurst ward seat for Cllr Andy Fairweather.

Tory candidate Godfrey Bland also won a seat in the Hawkhurst and Sandhurst ward, with 800 votes.

Independent Cllr Rodney Atkins kept his Paddock Wood East seat.

The councillors elected by ward were:

Benenden and Cranbrook: Nancy Warne (TWA)

Culverden: David Osborne (Lib Dem)

Frittenden and Sissinghurst: Andy Fairweather (Con)

Goudhurst and Lamberhurst: Alison Webster (TWA)

Hawkhurst and Sandhurst: Godfrey Bland (Con)

Paddock Wood (East): Rodney Atkins (Ind)

Paddock Wood (West): Mark Munday (Lib Dem)

Pantiles and St Mark’s: Pamela Wilkinson (Lib Dem)

Park: Siobhan O’Connell (TWA)

Pembury: David Hayward (TWA)

Rusthall: Jayne Sharratt (Lab)

Sherwood: Hugo Pound (Lab)

Southborough and High Brooms: John Francis (Lab)

Southborough North: Joe Opara (Lib Dem)

Speldhurst and Bidborough: Paul Curry (TWA)

St John’s: Marguerita Morton (Lib Dem)