BEXLEY Council remains relatively unchanged following Thursday’s borough elections.

The count began at 2pm on Friday (May 7) afternoon, at the Crook Log leisure centre in Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, because of the overnight general election count, and the final result was announced just after 7pm.

With 63 council seats up for grabs, the Tories had held 54 seats before the election, and Labour the other nine.

But Labour has managed to snatch an extra two seats this time around, bringing its numbers back into double figures.

The closest fought ward was Lesnes Abbey, previously held by three Tories, John Davey, John Fuller and Eleanor Hurt.

Their Labour opponents included two former councillors, John Browning and Grant Blowers who had lost their seats in 2006.

It was the last result to be declared, following a recount.

Labour’s John Browning missed out on a return to the council by just six votes.

Initially, it was thought to be only four votes, when returning officer, and chief executive, Will Tuckley stepped in and ordered a recount.

The highest turnout was 74.7 per cent in Brampton ward, Bexleyheath, followed closely by 74.5 per cent in St Mary’s ward in Bexley Village.

Altogether six wards polled more than 70 per cent of voters.

Even the lowest turnout, in Thamesmead East, was 53.4 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats, fighting to get back into Bexley politics, had a disappointing night, trailing both Conservatives and Labour in most wards, and beaten by the British National Party (BNP) candidates in three seats.

But they came second to the Tories in four of the Sidcup wards.

It was also a bad night for the BNP.

Its most high profile candidate, Michael Barnbrook, who failed to win a seat in a by-election in East Wickham ward last year by just eight votes, came second to the Tories again, but by a much bigger margin.

His two fellow BNP candidates in East Wickham, were beaten by Labour into third place.

But in most other seats the BNP polled in low figures along with the other fringe parties.

Mr Barnbrook said:"Last time it was just eight votes, this time it was a couple of hundred.

"If people aren't going to vote for you, they are not going to vote for you."

He added: "We will just regroup and we will be back. We are not going away."

Tory group leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill said: “It is terrific Bexley residents have shown their faith in us and our delivery on the promises we made four years ago.

“On the doorstep, people thought we were doing a good job.”

Labour group leader, Councillor Chris Ball said: “I am pleased we have taken more seats.

“I am delighted we have taken back the third seat in Erith, taken one in Belvedere and nearly picked up one in Lesnes Abbey.”

But Cllr Ball and others were surprised by the number of split votes cast, where people voted for candidates from two, or even three different parties.

He said: “Maybe they were just sick and tired of everyone.”