THERE were one or two shocks in the Labour stronghold of the District of Easington - even though the ruling party had ensured victory before a vote was cast.

Labour retained overall control of the council on a night when the party suffered embarrassing losses in other heartland areas, such as Sedgefield and Durham City.

But because only eight of the wards in Easington were contested by opposition parties, Labour could not be ousted from power and enjoyed a 67.9 per cent share of the vote.

The Liberal Democrats took control of one ward, Acre Rigg, by claiming one seat to add to the one the party already held there.

Councillor Bill Gustard, the new chairman of the council, blamed voter apathy for the Lib Dem gains.

Before the ballot, Easington had 45 Labour councillors, one Liberal Democrat, four Independents and a Labour Independent, representing 26 wards.

Boundary changes, however, reduced the number of wards and there are now five Independent, two Liberal Democrat and 44 Labour members.

The 12 uncontested wards - 28 seats altogether - all returned Labour councillors.

The turnout was 26.5 per cent.

* The Derwentside District Council result for Elizabeth Jane Coulson, South Moor, should have read Labour, and not Independent. The result for Michael John Malone, Blackhill, should have read Labour, and not Independent. We apologise for the errors published in The Northern Echo yesterday.

*Today's list of results includes an outstanding ward from Derwentside and one from Durham City.