IT was a cause of celebration for several political couples yesterday - but commiseration for another.

There will be five couples serving on Darlington Borough Council, including a return for one husband-andwife team and a marriage bridging the political divide.

Long-serving couple Brian and Doris Jones were once again voted in for the Conservatives in Sadberge and Middleton St George, respectively.

Keeping up with the Joneses were three Labour couples - Ian and Lynne Haszeldine were re-elected in Lingfield for a second successive term together, Chris and Jan Taylor won in Bank Top and Central with the latter returning to the political scene, and Lee and John Vasey won in Eastbourne and Harrowgate Hill respectively.

For the Vaseys it was a double celebration. Lee's successful election - after fighting off a strong challenge from independent candidate and former Labour member Kevin Nicholson - means she will serve as mayor in the next civic year.

Fighting back tears of joy and relief, she said: "I am exceedingly proud. This is the town we picked to come to and serve."

Her husband's victory comes four years after he lost his seat to another couple - the Cartwrights. While Mike Cartwright opted not to restand, his wife, Gill, lost out to three Labour candidates.

Councillor John Vasey said he was surprised to have defeated such a "formidable" opponent.

Councillor Gill Cartwright said: "I got a lot of personal votes, but I think that people are voting nationally and that has let me down."

She said she would continue to work on a number of projects she was involved in in the area, vowing: "I shall be back."

The other two defeated sitting Conservative councillors were Alex Nicholson and Kate Davies.

Deputy group leader Charles Johnson said it was upsetting to lose young councillors, adding: "There hasn't been any backlash against us across the country, so I don't think that's happened here.

"I'm astounded people make the choices they do."

Councillor Nicholson lost out to Labour's Sue Richmond - wife of Conservative councillor Tony Richmond - while Councillor Davies' seat in Pierremont - along with that of retiring Labour councillor Marian Swift - went to Linda Hughes and Bob Carson.

The Liberal Democrats' only defeat was in Park East, where Peter Frietag, who won in 2007 after 30 years away from the political frontline, was pushed into seventh. His seat was taken by Paul Harman.