LONGSTANDING councillors in key Furness seats became casualties of a swing vote to the Conservatives in Thursday's Cumbria County Council election.

The former Labour stronghold of Dalton - split into north and south wards - fell to the Tory opposition while the party's John Murphy for Newbarns and Parkside and Fred Chatfield for Roosecoat also lost their seats.

Labour representative Barry Doughty, for Dalton North, was ousted by Ben Shirley for the Tories - losing control of the ward by 315 votes.

While in neighbouring Dalton South, Mr Doughty's Labour colleague Ernie Wilson also failed to win a majority share of the electorate with Conservative opposition candidate Des English claiming victory with 683 votes.

Mr Doughty, former cabinet member for fire and rescue, health and safety and central support services, said his defeat did not come as a surprise.

"The Tories ran a strong campaign in Dalton, though it was very much based on national issues.

"I have done as much as I can to the best of my ability but it wasn't enough.

"I wish the person elected well for Dalton North, I'm sure he will do his best for the area."

With no one party gaining a clear majority, behind the scenes negotiations and power talks are now raging as each political group attempts to strike a deal for the administration.

Ulverston Councillor James Airey, leader of the county council Conservative group, said: "It is very difficult for any one party to get an outright majority in Cumbria.

"The county bucks the national trend in that respect.

"Obviously discussions are taking place but I'm hopeful that as the party with the biggest share of the vote we are able to form an administration for Cumbria as soon as possible."

Cllr Anne Burns, senior Labour politician for Barrow, said 'sensible conversations' now needed to take place between all parties to come up with the best solution for the people of Cumbria.

"This is about more than politics," she added.

"We don't know what will happen yet, there will be informal and formal talks to come between the parties.

"But I do know that in Barrow myself and my colleagues will continue to make our voice heard for residents in this area."

An administration must be in place by May 13 when the CCC annual general meeting takes place.

Elsewhere in Barrow, voters returned their Labour representatives to CCC - though some majorities had slimmed.

Cllr Bill McEwan, for Ormsgill, former CCC chairman Cllr Mel Worth for Walney North and Cllr Frank Cassidy for Walney South were all re-elected.

Cllr Cassidy pledged to 'get stuck in' for all residents of the area, whether they voted for him or not.

he added: “I have known my opponent Rory McClure for years. Rory fought a hard campaign, but it was clean and it was fair.

“The years ahead won’t be a walk in the park as Conservative budget cuts continue and we lost some good people on Thursday. But I will be giving the job everything I have and I know that goes for the other Labour councillors who were elected.”

In South Lakeland, the Conservatives gained Windermere with businessman Ben Berry taking the seat.

High Furness also fell to Tory Candidate Matt Brereton from Liberal Democrat David Fletcher.

In Millom, Conservative candidates kept their seats for the party with Keith Hitchen in Millom Without and Doug Wilson in Millom securing majority votes.