PURBECK District Council now has no party with an overall majority after last night’s elections.

Eight of the council’s seats were up for election and the Conservatives lost their grip on the authority, which is now in no overall control.

The Tories now hold 12 of 24 seats in the chamber, with the Lib Dems on 11 and one Independent.

That man is Nigel Dragon, who now holds the balance of power.

In Lytchett Matravers, which was the only seat to change hands, just 28 votes split the Tories and Lib Dems.

The success of the Lib Dem candidate, Martyn Colvey, who gained the seat at the expense of Tory Peter Webb, is being put down to UKIP polling 248 votes in the ward.

None of the other seven seats that were up for election changed hands.

All of those who won a seat will have to fight again next year because of boundary changes.