THE LIBERAL Democrats suffered a disappointing night after losing three seats on the borough council.

The party now holds eight seats on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council follow losses in Brighton Hill North, Brighton Hill South and Brookvale and Kings Furlong.

However, the biggest loss of the night was long-serving councillor, John Shaw who lost out in the Brookvale and Kings Furlong area to Labour’s Michael Westbrook.

Cllr Shaw, who has been a councillor on the borough council since 1998, was due to be elected as deputy mayor at the borough council next week before losing his seat.

The title is set to be passed onto the next person who has served on the borough council for the longest period.

The Basingstoke Liberal Democrats group leader, Gavin James retained his seat in Eastrop winning 628 votes. He described his win as a “silver lining” from the night, telling The Gazette: “I am happy and very pleased.

“It has been a very difficult night for the Liberal Democrats and we have been punished somewhat. My own result is a silver lining on what has been a cloudy night.”