THE Conservatives were celebrating in Richmondshire after more than doubling their seats from five to 13.
The group fell four short of the number needed to take control of the council.
But it is widely anticipated that several of the 15 independent councillors will now join with the Tories to form an overall majority.
The Liberal Democrats won six seats - down two from 2003.
The first ever BNP candidates to stand in the district failed to get elected.
There was also disappointment for outspoken Lower Wensleydale candidate Bernard Borman, who was yesterday asked to leave a polling station by police following an argument with election staff.
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