ISLE of Wight Conservatives have taken control of County Hall with a significant majority.
Twenty-five Tory candidates have been elected to the Isle of Wight Council after Islanders went to the polls at yesterday’s (Thursday) local elections.
The number of Island Independents, formerly the ruling group before the Tories took charge earlier this year, has dropped to eight.
Previously there were 14 Tory councillors and 15 Island Independents.
Also elected were two Lib Dems, one Green, one Labour, and two independent candidates, while UKIP failed to secure any seats. 
Conservative leader Cllr Dave Stewart said the majority would provide the strong leadership the council, and the Island, needed to drive regeneration efforts. 
Island Independent leader Cllr Julia Baker-Smith said she hoped her group would work with the other progressive parties to form an effective opposition and challenge further austerity cuts.
The overall voter turnout has not yet been calculated.
For a full run down of the night’s see the County Press live-blog.