The Liberal Democrats toppled the Tories on Worthing Borough Council in yesterday's local elections.

They needed just two seats to secure a hung council but went one better, leaving the council with 19 Lib Dems and 17 Conservatives.

The Lib Dems snatched Selden, Castle and Gaisford wards from the Conservatives. The turnout was 30.67 per cent.

The Conservatives blamed a rise in council tax and the proposed Asda development at Worthing College for the defeat.

Lib Dem leader Sheila Player began the night with a optimism, which shifted by degrees through quiet confidence to euphoria.

She told a packed hall: "We targeted three wards and we've won them. That type of success is not achieved without teamwork.

"I am excited and a little scared - scared because we have a huge responsibility to the residents of Worthing. But we will deliver what we promised. We will strive for a clean and safe Worthing."

Earlier, as she her team's success started becoming clear, she had been more succinct, commenting: "I am chuffed to monkeys."

She told her team to be prepared for their first meeting on Saturday morning.

A dejected Tory leader Brian Lynn said he would not stand down unless his party wanted him to.

He said: "The reason for this result was due to a collapse in the Labour vote and because we had to put up the council tax by ten per cent."

He blamed the council tax rise on underfunding by the Government.

Mr Lynn continued: "We are disappointed but not downcast. All our candidates have fought exceedingly well."

He declared the Tories would be back in 12 months, when all the seats will be up for grabs due to boundary changes.

The Tory defeat means the mayor elect John Livermore - who is due to be handed the civic reins by mayor Valerie Sutton later this month - could be voted out by the Lib Dems.

There was uproar earlier this year when Mr Livermore was chosen for the post over a Liberal Democrat. The Lib Dems said it was their turn.

A number of councillors stood down, including former mayor David Chapman, who represented Selden ward.

But former Lib Dem councillor James Doyle scooped Selden ward to return to the spotlight after he stepped down in 1999.

Results: (* denotes sitting councillor)

Broadwater: Eric Mardell* (LD) 1148; Jack Saheid (C) 372; Ann Saunders (L) 148.

Castle: Maria Moynan (LD) 966; Mark O'Keeffe* (C) 633; Peter Barnes (L) 238; Derek Colkett (G) 56. LD gain.

Central: Janet Goldsbrough-Jones (LD) 903; Martin Coppard (C) 445; Brian Gill (L) 191; Durrington: Christine Allen (LD) 1470; Alan Whiteley (C) 659; John Dwyer (G) 141.

Gaisford: Donald Lissenburg (LD) 962; Brian Turner (C) 740; Joy Hurcombe (L) 169; Marie Hillcoat (G) 89. LD gain.

Goring: David Marchant (C) 1800; Nick Rodgers (LD) 724.

Heene: John Livermore* (C) 989; Jenny Bennett (LD) 557; Heather Rogers (G) 149.

Marine: Francis Wingate* (C) 1235; Brian Stephenson (LD) 388; Barrie Slater (L) 230; Lucie Colkett (G) 182.

Offington: Graham Fabes (C) 1404; Paul Daniels (LD) 502; John Gardiner (L) 153; Rosemary Hook (G) 115.

Salvington: Valerie Sutton* (C) 1176; Liz Mardell (LD) 550; Hazel Rennie (L) 214.

Selden: James Doyle (LD) 920; Paul High (C) 733; John Turley (L) 309; Dave Yates (G) 93. LD gain.

Tarring: Bob Smytherman (LD) 1297; Mary Harding (C) 435; Ian Sandell (L) 152.