IT WAS a tense afternoon in Dorking last Friday as the district witnessed massive changes in the way it will be run.

The atmosphere in Dorking Sports Hall was one of uncertainty as half of the seats up for election changed hands.

The district elections definitely bucked the national trend with a disastrous day for the Conservative group leaving no party with a majority in council.

While the Tories were mopping up both Labour and the Liberal Democrats on a national scale, the party have little to celebrate in Mole Valley.

The Conservatives lost five seats in total – three to the Liberal Democrats and two to the Ashtead Independents – although they did manage to gain a seat from the Liberal Democrats.

This leaves a hung council – much like the national situation – with 18 Conservative councillors, 17 Liberal Democrats, five Ashtead Independents and a Leatherhead Independent.

Jean Pearson, the leader of the Conservative Group, spoke to the Advertiser about her feelings on the day.

"I find all of them [the losses] bitterly disappointing. Everyone is a potential winner and we had quite substantial losses which was very sad.

"They all worked hard, they had all been fighting for the position."

She added: "Like everything I think it is that people aren't decided, this is one of the biggest problems.

"There is no one party that has come out strong in either the local or general elections, I can't say why."

In Fetcham West former Tory council leader Tim Hall was beaten by Raj Haque, the owner of Fetcham Tandoori.

Mr Haque said: "It is terrific, it is a wonderful feeling. It is a case of no pain, no gain and I put a lot of work in."

Other gains made from the Conservatives were in Bookham South where newcomer Phil Harris beat incumbent John Chandler, and Paul Potter who took Brockham, Betchworth and Buckland – the seat of the outgoing Conservative Kate Horden.

In Leatherhead North the incumbent independent Penny Hedgeland was also ousted by Dave Howarth from the Liberal Democrats who became the district's youngest councillor at 23.

Speaking after his election was announced Councillor Howarth, who beat Conservative Tim Ashton by just 12 votes, said: "It was the most stressful two-and-a-half hours in my life, I didn't have a clue which way the vote would go. I am extremely grateful to be starting as the youngest ever councillor at Mole Valley."

The Ashtead Independents gained Ashtead Village from the Conservative's Sylvia Sharland and Ashtead Park.

Simon Ling, who ousted Mrs Sharland, said: "The seat has been in Conservative hands for about 12 years. This will be my first time as a councillor."

"The residents' association has quite strong views on the preservation of Ashtead Village, which is much under threat from development." But it was not all bad news for the Conservatives as Philip Warren gained Capel, Leigh and Newdigate, from the Liberal Democrat's Iain Murdoch. Cllr Warren praised his campaign saying: "It was dealing with local issues and, being a local fellow, it was a great help."