PEOPLE living in the Wychavon area will be seeing more blue after today, after the Conservatives upped their number of seats in the area from 36 to 39.

But it wasn't just a victory for the Tories — UKIP made history by claiming their first ever seat on Wychavon District Council.

The count started at Pershore Leisure Centre at 10am yesterday, and by 1pm the first result was in with Conservatives claiming two seats in Droitwich West.

From there, there were mutters of a possible landslide victory for the Tories as the next few hours were a bluewash.

But dreams of a Tory clean sweep were vanquished by 3.15pm when Liberal Democrat Keith Wright took the Bretforton and Offenham seat with 840 votes, ahead of Conservative David Ernest on 655.

From that point the Lib Dems reclaimed their five seats, holding Bowbrook, one seat in Pershore, Pinvin and South Bredon Hill.

But the shock of the night came when, following a recount, UKIP's Ged Bearcroft edged past long-serving Tory John Smith, who took 607 of the votes, meaning UKIP claimed their first ever seat on Wychavon District Council.

Mr Bearcroft, who grew up in Littleton, said he was "absolutely delighted", although Mr Smith, who lost the seat he had retained for 32 years, said he was "very disappointed" but that he had done all that he could to fight for his seat.

Baron Fullstop, of the Monster Raving Loony Party, injected some light relief in to the proceedings although he didn't win a seat.

Mr Fullstop, who stood for a seat in Broadway and Wickhamford, got 326 votes, losing out to Tories Liz Eyre and Bradley Thomas, who claimed 2,048 and 1,533 votes respectively, and Liam Wilson of the Green Party who claimed 684.

He said: "It's great when you think about it that people voted for me. All I'm going to say is that the Conservatives lost 326 votes to a Monster Raving Loony. Democracy was served and the electorate has spoken.

"All we need now is a referendum on Europe with three options — 'in', 'out' or 'shake it all about'."

Despite not gaining a seat, the Green Party didn't do too badly, gaining thousands of votes across the district.

There were high turn-outs across the whole of the district, with Bowbrook seeing a turn-out of 82 per cent and Upton Snodsbury with 79 per cent.

Commenting on the overall Tory majority, Tom Noyes, who gained a seat in Droitwich South West alongside Tory Graham Beale, said he was "very pleased" with the result.

"I think it's a great Conservative win. But sadly I'd have liked to have seen more of an opposition."