The Conservatives lost 25 seats on Lincolnshire County Council last night as UKIP took 24.3% of the votes.
The result means the Tories, who won 36 wards, are just short of an overall majority on the 77-seat council, but are still 20 seats ahead of UKIP, who will form the opposition.
In Grantham, the only surprise came in the South Ward where South Kesteven District Council Labour Group leader Charmaine Morgan ousted the sitting Conservative, Adam Stokes, by 63 votes.
Elsewhere, county stalwarts Ray Wootten and Richard Davies held onto their seats, while Coun Wootton was joined by his wife, Linda, at Shire Hall as she took Grantham East.
Council leader Martin Hill was one of the last results to come through, but he comfortably held his Folkingham Ward. Newcomer Bob Adams made sure the Conservatives held Colsterworth Rural against three opponents, while Jo Churchill (Conservative) came through a tight race in Barrowby Division.
Elsewhere, independent Paul Wood scored a big win in Hough and, like most other winners, immediately declared war on potholes saying it was the “number one” issue when speaking to people on their doorsteps.
The make-up of the county council is:
CONSERVATIVE 36
UK INDEPENDENCE 16
LABOUR 10
LINCOLNSHIRE INDEPENDENTS 8
LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 3
LABOUR and CO-OP 2
INDEPENDENT 2
