The Conservative party made further gains on Hertsmere Borough Council in last night's local elections.

It was a tough night for Labour who lost two seats in their previous stronghold of Borehamwood, and became the third party in the borough.

The Liberal Democrat group will become the official opposition in the new council with six seats after holding firm in Bushey.

Overall, the Conservatives increased the number of seats they hold on the council to 28 after two shock wins in traditionally Labour held seats in Borehamwood.

The first upset of the night came in the Brookmeadow ward where Labour candidate Ian Feeney failed to regain the seat previously held by Len Silverstone for Labour, losing by more than 100 votes to Conservative candidate Harvey Cohen.

In perhaps the biggest shock of the night Labour councillor Ernie Butler narrowly lost out to Conservative candidate Pat Strack after re-counts left him a dozen votes short.

Meanwhile, in Borehamwood Hillside Councillor Sandra Parnell increased her majority and comfortably held on to her seat on the council. The one bright spot for Labour on a miserable night was in Cowley Hill where Di Hoeksma won a seat previously held by Joe Goldberg.

Elsewhere in the borough the Conservatives held on to seats in Aldenham, Shenley, Elstree, Potters Bar and Bushey and the Liberal Democrats held on to their two seats in Bushey.

Reacting to the results in Borehamwood, Labour group leader Leon Reefe said: "It's been a bad night for us in Borehamwood but frankly I feared it could be worse, I feared we could lose Cowley Hill too.

"Once again we have suffered because our vote didn't come out, because they are really annoyed with what's going on in national government."

Council leader Neil Payne said: "It is a fundamental change from what we had five years ago it shows the changing nature of Borehamwood, and of course the growing unpopularity of the Labour party and this government."

Turn-out was slightly higher than expected ranging from 48.7 per cent in Aldenham East to as low as 31.6 per cent in Borehamwood Kenilworth.

Mr Reefe blamed concerns over the performance of the national government for bad results locally.

He said: "There now has to be a sea-change in the party leadership and I will be writing to the Prime Minister in my capacity as group leader voicing my concern about what is now becoming a serious problem and I will express my opinion that while he has done a fantastic job for the country it may be time to step away and let someone else take over."

Pat Strack, newly elected Conservative councillor for Borehamwood Kenilworth said: "People are fed up with what is happening nationally and it was bound to have an impact on how people's voting position changed or whether they voted at all."

Mr Payne concluded: "We have to say we have worked hard and fully deserve our victory today. "