LABOUR maintained its overwhelming majority on Chester-le-Street District Council - but lost three seats.
The Tories, who have enjoyed only one seat on the council, doubled their presence to two when existing councillor Peter May was joined by his wife, Maureen.
Mrs May said: "We are delighted. The Tories have had only one member for about 30 years.
"Now they have got two. We have made a good gain."
One upset saw long-standing councillor David Meek lose to Liberal Democrat Philip Nathan in the Edmondsley and Waldridge ward.
Labour leader, councillor Linda Ebbatson, said: "We are absolutely delighted at the outcome.
"We lost three seats which was disappointing, but overall Labour still has control.
"I take it as a vote of confidence and a measure of spport for what we have done over the last four years."
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