At district level the situation in Bradford Council following last Thursday's elections remains virtually the same - with Labour and the Conservatives still neck and neck.

The two largest parties won 36 seats each, both down two from the 38 secured in the last election, to leave the Liberal Democrats, who took two new seats to bring their total to 14, holding the balance of power again.

In Wharfedale the polling did not, however, affect the bigger picture as the Conservatives held on to their seats in Craven (David Emmott), Ilkley (Martin Smith) and Rombalds (Matt Palmer).

Mr Palmer's victory in Rombalds, taking over from retiring councillor and Lord Mayor of Bradford Richard Wightman, marked not only a new face in local politics but also one of the youngest.

At 24, Councillor Palmer is less than half the age of the average councillor (around 65). He said: "Rombalds was always going to be a safe Conservative seat and I don't think my victory is a reflection on me but of the amount of work done here by existing councillors over recent years.

"I'll be very much hoping to continue their good work. I'm also quite young for a councillor and I'm hoping my win can send a message to other young people that politics isn't something to turn away from."

Coun Palmer added that tackling traffic problems, especially those related to large developments such as those at Scalebor Park and High Royds, would be among his top priorities.

Elsewhere in the district, environmentalists were celebrating in Shipley West after winning the Green Party its third seat in the ward and on the council.

Meanwhile fears that support for the extremist British National Party (BNP) is growing were fuelled by other results.

Although it failed to actually win any seats, the BNP came second in four wards and third in three, including Baildon, where it secured 842 votes.

RESULTS check

Baildon Ward

John COLE (Lib Dem) 2,365

Edward WAR D (Con) 1,207

David HOBSON (BNP) 842

Miranda VASEY (Lab) 564

Kevin WARNES (Green) 143

Lib Dem held Majority 1,158, Poll 42%

Craven Ward

David EMMOTT (Con) 2,178

Melvyn HARRISON (Lab) 996

Hamish HAY (Lib Dem) 671

Cons hold. Majority 1,182 Poll 31.12%

Ilkley Ward

Martin SMITH. (Con) 2,441

Paul DUTTON (Lab) 994

James KEELY (Lib Dem) 777

Cons hold. Majority 1,447 Poll 38.60%

Rombalds Ward

Matthew PALMER (Con) 2,678

Ambrose MICKLEM (Lib Dem) 906

Andrew DUNDAS (Lab) 860

Julie COWDER (Green) 243

Cons hold. Majority 1,772 Poll 37.20%