Hampshire County Council election results see Lib Dem and Reform gains

Hampshire County Council's latest election results have seen the Conservatives lose ground, and the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK make key victories.

There were Conservative defeats in Lyndhurst and Fordingbridge, Ringwood, New Milton and South Waterside.

The Liberal Democrats gained in Lymington and Boldre, while Reform UK took New Milton from the Conservatives.

Cllr Jack Davies, who won Lymington and Boldre with 3,009 votes, said he was “grateful” to residents for putting their trust in him and promised he would “not let them down”.

In one of the closest contests of the night, Conservative Fran Carpenter held onto New Milton North, Milford and Hordle by 417 votes.

She said: “I’m delighted to be able to continue as the county councillor. It was extremely close and a very tense wait for the result — I’ll remember it for a long time."