THE LIBERAL Democrats are back in control at Otley Town Council after sweeping aside almost all comers.

The party may have suffered a torrid time nationally last Thursday, but it enjoyed emphatic backing from voters in the town - at the expense of Labour, who failed to win a single seat.

Lib Dem councillors now make up 18 of the 20 positions on the town council, with the remaining two going to Independent Nigel Francis and Green Party member Mick Bradley (both Danefield).

That represents a dramatic turnaround for the local party, which lost control of the council to Labour in 2011.

It also means the Liberal Democrats are now the dominant local force at town, city council and Parliamentary constituency - Greg Mulholland was one of just eight Lib Dem MPs to survive the General Election - level.

Town Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Prince Henry) had double cause for celebration, as he was also re-elected to represent the Otley & Yeadon ward at Leeds City Council.

He said: “It was a difficult night nationally but locally all our hard work paid off.

"I would like to thank all the residents of Otley and Yeadon for their continued support."

His Lib Dem colleagues are promising to focus on four areas - trade and tourism, the local environment, leading healthy lives, and council governance.

Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: “Like all my 17 colleagues, I am delighted and humbled to have received the support of electors and look forward to contributing to the civic life of the town.

“We are ready and raring to go to deliver a new era for Otley council politics.

“Our priority is to work together with everyone to support and promote Otley, and that work starts now.

“We will listen to the ideas and concerns of residents and bring fresh energy to the challenges our town faces, and do our best to capitalise on the opportunities ahead."

Councillor Linda Hoare (Lib Dem, West Chevin) said: "It's a staggering victory for the Liberal Democrats.

“This is my first time and I am looking forward to working hard for the good of the town with other councillors, old and new.

“Otley should benefit from its tourist opportunities, which we aim to develop further.”

MP Mr Mulholland added: "For too long things haven’t happened due to political infighting on the town council, so I am delighted this new council are committed to working together with the whole town to deliver positive change, and I look forward to working with them.”

The shake-up marks a dramatic fall from grace for Labour, who for the past four years had been the biggest single party, with ten councillors.

Former town council leader John Eveleigh came second in the city council election tussle with Coun Campbell - securing 3,193 votes to the Lib Dem candidate's 4,347.

He said: "First of all I would like to congratulate the new town council - particularly those who have been elected for the first time.

"As far as the city council election is concerned, we did make ground and next time require a swing of under 5 per cent to take the seat.

"We are obviously enormously disappointed by the town council result - but put our defeat mainly down to the complete lack of Conservative candidates for people to vote for.

"We are enormously proud of our achievements of the past four years, and we pass on a town council considerably improved from the one we inherited.

"The Labour Party retains strong support in the town and, although it is more difficult from the sidelines, we will still be campaigning for those things that we fought for in our manifesto."