The Conservatives have lost overall control of North West Leicestershire District Council in the local elections.

One councillor has described it as a 'terrible night' for the Tories as the results came in overnight after voters went to the polls last week.

North West Leicestershire had been Tory-led - but a number of the party's councillors lost their seats.

The Conservatives had held a strong majority on the council having won 22 of the 38 seats at the last election in 2019.

But the results of yesterday's vote have decreased the number of seats the Tories hold to 12. They have lost their majority.

The Labour Party formed the main opposition on the council for the past four years, with eight of the 38 council seats. They will have 17 councillors on the authority as a result of yesterday's vote, making them the biggest party on the council.

The Conservatives will form the main opposition with control of the district council handed over to Labour.

However, none of the parties gained enough seats to meet the threshold of 19 for overall control.

The Liberal Democrats were looking to make gains in the area, having nominated a large number of candidates across the district.

They have gone from four to five seats.

Cllr Michael Wyatt's LibDem page also posted allegations of 'intimidation' at the Ashby Museum polling station.

The social media post reads: "Tory intimidation reported at Ashby polling station.

"We have had a number of complaints concerning intimidation from Conservatives harassing people going into the polling station at the Ashby Museum.

"We have reported it directly to the returning officer who has also received complaints.

"Any intimidation or harassment is unacceptable and illegal."

The Greens have no seats on the council, but there will be four independents, up from three.

Green councillor Carl Benfield lost his seat to Conservative newcomer Kenny Horn in the Ashby Castle ward; while former Leicestershire County Council chairman Dan Harrison was beaten by Labour candidate Murrae Blair-Park in Money Hill.

Conservative councillor Roger Bayliss lost his seat to Labour's Avril Wilson in Ashby Holywell.

Ashby-based Jim Hoult failed to win in Castle Donington Central where the Independent candidate Rachel Canny was elected.

Elliott Allman, who stood for the Conservatives in Snibston North and lost out to Labour's Arthur Geary, posted on social media and said: "So it wasn't meant to be. Whilst increasing my vote share from last time, I carried on to lose in what I think is a terrible night for the Conservatives. We have lost several fantastic councillors."

There were a few narrow wins with the margins being single figures in some areas.

The overall election turnout was 31 per cent and here are the results as they affect the Ashby de la Zouch area.

Appleby

• Richard Blunt (Con) - 457 (ELECTED)
• Rita Bradbury (Lib Dem) - 96
• Jennifer Sawyer (Lab) - 194

Turnout: 37%

Ashby Castle

• Carl Benfield (Green) - 397
• Alan Clark (Lab) - 137
• Kenny Horn (Con) - 523 (ELECTED)

Turnout: 45%

Ashby Holywell 

• Roger Bayliss (Con) - 351
• Yorick Lynch (Lib Dem) - 57
• Avril Wilson (Lab) - 439 (ELECTED)

Turnout: 34%

Ashby Ivanhoe 

• Elisabeth Bray (Green) - 66
• Martin Cooper (Lib Dem) - 152
• Gill Hoult (Con) - 302
• Elizabeth Parle (Lab) - 426 (ELECTED)

Turnout: 37%

Ashby Money Hill 

• Murrae Blair-Park (Lab) - 392 (ELECTED)
• Gareth Bott (Reform UK) - 42
• Dan Harrison (Con) - 340

Turnout: 34%

Ashby Willesley 

• David Bigby (Lab) - 456 (ELECTED)
• John Deakin (Con) - 316

Turnout: 38%

Ashby Woulds

• John Bridges (Con) - 221
• Mark Burton (Lib Dem) - 57
• Doug Cooper (Lab) - 327 (ELECTED)

Turnout: 27%

Blackfordby 

• Michelle Holdcroft (Lab) - 332
• Rebecca Sargent (Lib Dem) - 55
• Andrew Woodman (Con) - 422 (ELECTED)

Turnout: 33%

Measham North 

• Paul Lees (Con) - 388 (ELECTED)
• Richard Moore (Lab) - 304

Turnout: 33%

Measham South 

• John Coxon (Con) - 187
• Sean Sheahan (Lab) - 319 (ELECTED)

Turnout: 25%

Oakthorpe and Donisthorpe

• Mike Ball (Con) - 336 (ELECTED)
• Damilola Ojuri (Lab) - 224
• Susan Thorley (Lib Dem) - 69

Turnout: 29%

Ravenstone and Packington 

• Paris Holliday (Lib Dem) - 153
• Thomas Legrys (Lab) - 253
• Nigel Smith (Con) - 511 (ELECTED)

Turnout: 37%