THE district's Conservatives have bucked the national trend in this week's council elections, gaining two seats overall.

The party now has 39 councillors out of 58 on the council, while the Tories lost about 300 seats on local councils across the country.

The main opposition party, the Loughton Residents' Association, also gained two seats, including Loughton Broadway, where the council's remaining British National Party member, Pat Richardson, lost her seat.

The Liberal Democrats lost two seats, leaving them with just four and echoing the hit the party took nationally.

As the Conservatives celebrate their success, it is understood that Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common councillor Chris Whitbread will make a bid to lead the group, currently headed by Lesley Wagland, at its AGM tonight (Friday).

Buckhurst Hill East: Neville Wright (Conservative), with 43 per cent of the votes

Buckhurst Hill West: Gavin Chambers (Conservative), with 47 per cent of the votes

Chigwell Row: Brian Sandler (Conservative), with 72 per cent of the votes

Chigwell Village: John Knapman (Conservative), with 64 per cent of the votes

Epping Hemnall: Jon Whitehouse (Liberal Democrat), with 49 per cent of the votes

Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common: Tony Church (Conservative), with 30 per cent of the votes and Chris Whitbread (Conservative) with 28 per cent of the votes(two seats up for election)

Grange Hill: Alan Lion (Conservative), with 61 per cent of the votes

Hastingwood, Matching and Sheering Village: Richard Morgan (Independent), with 87 per cent of the votes

High Ongar, Willingale and The Rodings: Maggie McEwen (Conservative), with 70 per cent of the votes

Loughton Alderton: Tracey Thomas (Loughton Residents’ Association), with 57 per cent of the votes

Loughton Broadway: Leon Girling (Loughton Residents’ Association), with 51 per cent of the votes

Loughton Fairmead: David Wixley (Loughton Residents’ Association), with 54 per cent of the votes

Loughton Forest: James Hart (Conservative), with 50 per cent of the votes

Loughton Roding: Ken Angold-Stephens (Loughton Residents’ Association), with 63 per cent of the votes

Loughton St John’s: Caroline Pond (Loughton Residents’ Association), with 62 per cent of the votes

Loughton St Mary’s: Harvey Mann (Loughton Residents’ Association), with 50 per cent of the votes

Moreton and Fyfield: Tony Boyce (Conservative), with 76 per cent of the votes

Passingford: Heather Brady (Conservative), with 85 per cent of the votes

Theydon Bois: John Philip (Conservative), with 45 per cent of the votes

Waltham Abbey Honey Lane: Glynis Shiell (Conservative), with 63 per cent of the votes

Waltham Abbey North East: Jeane Lea (Conservative), with 68 per cent of the votes

Waltham Abbey South West: Helen Kane (Conservative), with 63 per cent of the votes

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