Local elections: Tories hit by losses across Staffordshire

Conservatives maintained control of South Staffordshire District Council and Stafford Borough Council but lost eight seats at each.

In Lichfield the Tories still have the upper hand despite losing seven seats as Labour gained five.

It was a different story in Cannock Chase where Labour lost overall control of the council.

It now holds 18 seats to the Tories 15, with the Greens having five seat.

Brexit to blame?

Lichfield's Tory leader Mike Wilcox brushed off the losses, saying: “I am disappointed for those who have been unfortunate in not being selected but we have a good working majority and a manifesto to deliver over the next four years.

“We have some new, young candidates who will bring a new dimension to the town.

“We didn’t make any gains this year, we have lost a number of councillors which is disappointing but in light of the national picture we are delighted that we have come in and still in control in Lichfield.”

More local election coverage

• See how the night unfolded with our live blog here

• Black Country round-up: Tories make gains as vote collapse fails to materialise

• National round-up: Major parties suffer as voters vent Brexit frustration

• UK local elections: At a glance

• See the full ward-by-ward results from across the region here

• Steve Trow resigns after two months despite election victory

• We care about local issues not Brexit, says victorious Walsall leader

In South Staffordshire victorious Tory councillor Nigel Caine, who returned his Perton Lakeside seat, said: “It just proves that the local people have belief in a name and not just a party.

"I think the turnout is probably lower than normal because of Brexit and the political happenings, it’s affected the outcome.

“People are sick to death of the main political parties – that makes my win a bit more special.”

The Green Party secured a seat in Stafford, with former Labour councillor Tony Pearce beating incumbent Tory Isabella Davies to win.

He said: "I feel overwhelmed and very honoured so many people have put their trust and confidence in me. I will make sure that is honoured.

"It is a tremendous boost to the Green Party at local level. Lots of people have worked really hard, it is not just me, to get that result and I am so pleased it has paid off."

Stafford's opposition Labour group leader Aidan Godfrey said he was pleased to have made gains, adding that national issues had played a part in the result.

"If people have a grievance or don't agree with the government, usually there is a local election where they can make their displeasure known," he said.