The Conservatives in Adur romped to victory in a two-horse race with Labour after the Lib Dems failed to field a single candidate.

Of the 14 district council seats up for grabs, nine were won by Tories, one by an independent and four by Labour.

Former Lib Dem leader Lisa Vaughan denied the party had simply forgotten the elections.

She said they were using their resources to "regroup and fight next year's election".

The Conservatives were jubilant, however, and put their success down to working for the people rather than party politics.

Group leader Neil Parkin said: "We have turned Lancing blue.

"We campaigned positively on local issues, putting people first, and we will continue to do so.

"We intend to balance the budget and continue working in co-operation with Worthing to get better services and better value for money for the people."

A Tory alliance will be formed for the second year running. Independent candidate Maurice Pitchford won the seat in Marine Ward with a landslide majority.

Labour didn't lose any of its five seats up for re-election, but it didn't win any new ones either.

Group leader Daniel Yates was disappointed but made a few jokes at the Conservatives' expense.

In a brief speech, he said: "We will be working very hard to keep the Tories under control as we have done for the last two years, because if we don't I fear for the people of Adur."

Afterwards he paid tribute to the late Labour Councillor Gilly Sweet, who died in February.

Coun Yates said: "The only place we lost out on was the Mash Barn ward, where Gilly Sweet had a seat.

"It's a double blow losing a friend and comrade and losing their seat. It's also very sad because her husband, Nigel, is here tonight and is our election organiser.

"But we have to pick ourselves up and start planning for next year."

There are now just three Lib Dem councillors on Adur Council - Barbara Runnells, Sharon Wood and Joy Hartley.

Results (* denotes sitting councillor):

Buckingham: Melanie Blunden* (C) 892; Peter Osmond (L) 293; Peter West (Green) 109. C hold.

Churchill: Graham Kerner (C) 680; Joyce Burn (L) 394; Jane Bromley (SA) 132. C gain.

Cokeham: Kenneth Bashford* (L) 590; Suzanne McGregor (C) 429. L hold.

Eastbrook: David Munnery* (Labour & Co-operative) 702; Paul Beresford-Hough (C); 534. L hold.

Hillside: Sally Willson* (Labour & Co-operative) 756; Kathryn Lyon (C); 599. L hold.

Manor: Keith Dollemore* (C) 583; Ronald Horne (L) 280; Lionel Parsons (UK Independence) 203. C hold.

Marine: Maurice Pitchford* (Ind) 765; Moyra Martin (Green) 143; Stephen Mear (L) 116. Ind hold.

Mash Barn (two seats): Susan Alexander (C) 419; Carol Bradburn (C) 411; Ann Bridges (L) 382; Jeanette White (L) 357. C gain, C hold.

Peverel: Michael Mendoza (C) 514; John Wales (L) 412 C gain.

St Nicolas: Neil Parkin* (C) 706; Phillip Jones (L) 452; Kenneth Bishop (UK Independence) 138; Vincent Tilsley (G) 121. C hold.

Southlands: Julia King* (L) 601; Felicity Deen (C) 563. L hold.

Southwick Green: Julie Searle* (C) 692; Alan Mair (L) 438. C hold.

Widewater: Anthony Nicklen* (C) 834; Adrienne Lowe (Labour & Co-operative) 695. C hold.