PEOPLE turned out in their thousands last week to redraw the local Government map in the biggest vote since the General Election in 2001.

Labour had been expected to suffer considerable losses, but it was thought that the blow might be softened by victory in the Iraq war.

There was certainly the potential for substantial change to Richmond shire District Council.

Experienced councillor and former magistrate Katherine Carr lost out in Richmond Central, while sitting Lib Dem Patrick Brennan was defeated in Catterick.

The Conservatives are now the largest group on the district council, taking over from the Richmondshire Association of Independent Councillors.

The full council will be electing a leader later this month and it is thought there may be changes in the hierarchy.

The new make-up of the council is Conservatives 11, Independent nine, Liberal Democrat eight, RAIC five and the Social Democrats one.

The Tories and Independents both gained four, Lib Dem were down two, the RAIC down seven, and the Social Democrat gained one.

The turnout: was 38.6 per cent, which was down from 40.2 per cent.

There were no surprises in Hambleton. With the number of seats reduced since the 1999 election the Conservatives strengthened their overall majority.

The new make-up of the council is Conservatives 36, Independent four, Liberal Democrats three and Labout one.

The Independents, Liberal Democrats and Labour all lost one seat.

The turnout was 37.5 per cent, down from 39.8.