THE Liberal Democrats were in celebratory mood following the district council elections yesterday (Thursday).

They took nine seats on the Craven District Council, nearly doubling their previous tally.

Following an electoral review, the number of Craven wards has been reduced from 34 to 30, which meant the whole council had to be re-elected this time.

The final allocation of seats was: Conservatives 13, Liberal Democrats 9, Independents 8, and Labour 0.

Individual results were:

Aire Valley with Lothersdale (2 seats) - Patricia Fairbank Cons (480), Mark Wheeler Lib Dem (552), Robert Greaves Cons (410).

Barden Fell (1 seat) - Chris Knowles-Fitton Cons (474), Robert Heseltine Ind (264).

Bentham (2 seats) - Gerald Hurtley Cons (488), John Pilkington Lib Dem (741), Manuel Camacho Ind (439).

Cowling (1 seat) John Alderson (Ind) no contest.

Embsay-with-Eastby - John Quinn (Con) no contest.

Gargrave and Malhamdale - (2 seats) - Stephen Butcher Cons (656), David Crawford Cons (563), Carlton Hayes Ind (393), Andrew Wood Lib Dem (451).

Glusburn (2 seats) - Philip Barrett Ind (1066), Peter Seward Ind (364),Ian Bannister Cons (229), Arthur Dixon Ind (335), Jennifer Wood Cons (194).

Grassington (1 seat) - Peter Walbank (Con) no contest.

Hellifield and Long Preston (1 seat) - Helen Firth (Con) - no contest.

Ingleton and Clapham (2 seats) - David Ireton (Ind), Carl Lis (Ind) - no contest.

Penyghent (1 seat) Richard Welch Cons (393), Anthony Macaulay Ind (326).

Settle and Ribblebank (2 seats) David Heather Lib Dem (652), Beth Graham Lib Dem (599), Terence Murray Cons (383), Charles Price Cons (392).

Skipton East (2 seats) Pamela Heseltine Cons (333), Eric Jaquin Lib Dem (342), Dennis Hall Ind (204), Duncan Hall Lab (184), Christopher Harbron Cons 303, Darren Moorby Lib Dem (245), Melvin Seward Ind (268).

Skipton North (2 seats) Mike Doyle Lib Dem (570), Marcia Turner Cons (569), Michael Hill Ind (416), Paul Whitaker Cons (512).

Skipton South (2 seats) Frances Cook Ind (295), Andrew Solloway Lib Dem (325), Alex Bentley Cons (181), Barry Blood Cons (177), Andrew Cook Ind (252).

Skipton West (2 seats) Paul English Lib Dem (575), Polly English Lib Dem (569), Margaret Spence Cons (279), Norman Spence Cons (261).

Sutton-in-Craven (2 seats) Ken Hart Ind (585), Steve Place Ind (778), Barbara Barwick-Nicholson (cons) 216, Dee Pollitt Cons (122).

Upper Wharfedale (1 seat) John Sayer Cons (481), Kenneth Luty Ind (233), James Monksfield Lib Dem (109)

West Craven (1 seat) John Binns Cons (267), Robert Mason Ind (212), Andrew Rankine Lib Dem (134).