Status quo preserved as Colchester Council still lead by a rainbow coalition

The Conservatives gained the most seats in the elections taking 22 of the 51 up for grabs.

But it was not enough to form a majority and all parties expect an alliance to be formed between the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Highwoods Independent councillors.

The Lib Dems took 15 seats with Labour just four behind with 11. All three Highwoods Independent councillors were re-elected.

There were still no seats for either UKIP or the Green party although both had hoped to make history by claiming their first council seat in Colchester.

Lib Dem Paul Smith, who was the leader of the previous council, said he was delighted with the results.

He said: "A year ago, I felt totally dejected after we only won three council wards out of 20.

"This year we have taken 15 seats out of 51 and we were so close to winning three more.

"I am extremely pleased. I think it is a fantastic achievement especially considering where we were 12 months ago.

"It shows support for the policies we have put forward as an administration."

Following boundary changes, the number of council seats fell from 60 to 51 with three councillors in each of the 17 wards.

For the first time in 14 years, all of the council seats were up for election. The council uses a system of a third of the councillors being up for re-election at a time.

Labour group leader Tim Young was also celebrating a successful night. He said: "It has been our night.

"We have gone from having nine seats out of 60 to 11 out of 51. We have to be pleased with that."

Mr Young said he expected Labour and the Lib Dems to form a coalition and he said he wanted the Highwoods Independent group to join the alliance, even though Labour and the Lib Dems had a majority without them.

Mr Young said: "We are happy to go into another coalition although we will want another Cabinet member." The party previously had two.

Mr Young added he would "very much welcome" the Highwoods Independents to continue as part of the administration.

However, Tory group leader on the council Dennis Willetts spoke openly about his disappointment even though the Conservatives have the most seats on the council.

He said: "I think this is a sad night for Colchester.

"We have the most seats but not a majority in the council chamber.

"That is down to the people of Colchester. It is their decision as we live in a democracy but I am disappointed.

"The town will now go into stagnation, just as it has been for the past eight years."

Colchester's Conservative MP Will Quince added: "It is disappointing for Colchester because we will have at least another two years of this council.

"I think the national picture may have played a part. We are in the first year of a Conservative Government and there is going to be some kickback."

THERE were winners and losers on the political field.

Veteran Lib Dem councillor Bill Frame lost his seat after serving on Colchester Council for a total of 16 years.

Mr Frame, who is 77, was voted out in Castle ward and admitted there was disappointment but also a sense of relief.

He blamed the Green party for splitting the vote in the ward.

He added: "I said this would be my last election whatever happened. I am frustrated as there is so much we still need to do.

"There are lots of opportunities and hopefully we will still have the administration who can carry on this work."

Lib Dem Nick Barlow returned to the council to represent the Castle ward.

He described his success as bitter sweet adding: "It is good to get back on to the council and to top the vote but I am sorry for Jo Hayes and Bill Frame who are two hard-working councillors."

Mayor elect Julie Young is now looking forward to her year as Colchester's next mayor and confirmed her husband, Tim, would be her official escort.

Mrs Young, who has been a councillor for 18 years, would have lost the chance to be the town's first citizen had she not been re-elected.

However, she said she was not concerned.

She said: "You can never take the electorate for granted but we have worked hard all year round, year in, year out."

Mrs Young won her seat for Labour in Greenstead polling 1,144 votes - ten ahead of Mr Young.

Mrs Young said jokingly of her victory over her husband: "I would expect nothing less. I am surprised it was that close."

Mother and daughter team Lesley and Jessica Scott-Boutell won two seats for the Liberal Democrats.

Lesley lost her seat last year but bounced back with 962 votes, 18 more than her daughter.

Steph Hayward, fiance of England footballing legend Peter Shilton, failed in her first volley into politics.

She had been encouraged to stand by former London mayor Boris Johnson but could not unseat the Oxford family - Gerard, Bev and Phil - in Highwoods.

And Conservative councillor Ben Locker was another casualty as he lost his seat in Mile End.

He described it as a "mighty frustrating evening".