Eight years of Liberal Democrat control in Teignbridge came to an end on Friday with the former leader unable to say whether he would remain in charge of his party.

There has also been a promise from the victorious Conservatives to scrutinise the position held by chief executive Nicola Bulbeck who last year saw her salary rise to £130,000 after she was contracted out part time to Torridge Council.

The winners in the fight for the district council were the Conservatives who increased their presence at Forde House from 18 to 26, gaining an outright majority over the Lib Dems whose 20 seats were cut to 13.

Among the bigger names to fall were Howard Milton in Kenn Valley, Marie Jenkins in College, Newton Abbot, and Sally Morgan in Bovey Tracey.

All had been portfolio holders or committee chairmen.

Teignmouth mayor Ian Parkes also lost his district seat as did David Weekes, a former Teignbridge chairman, who stood as an independent after quitting the Lib Dems.

The independents finished the election one seat down,

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