CONSERVATIVE Anthony Trotman breathed a huge sigh of relief after being re-elected as Calne Chilvester and Abberd's unitary councillor but not before he had initially been initially told that he had lost handsomely.

It was a rollercoaster 30 minutes or so for Coun Trotman on Friday at the Devizes Leisure Centre for the local elections, as a recount had to take place after John Watling, head of electoral services, read out the wrong result.

At first, an astonished Labour candidate Mike Macgregor-Fairlie was told he had swept to victory with 683 votes, ahead of the 471 votes Robert Merrick picked up for the the Liberal Democrats and Mr Trotman received 254 votes.

After a great deal of confusion, the result was recounted and within the hour Mr Watling revealed that the Conservative candidate had received the 683 votes and not the Labour candidate.

"It certainly did not help with the nerves. That has never happened before. My colleagues and family were dumbfounded by the result but luckily they corrected the mistake," said Coun Trotman.

"I think although I knew my result from looking at the numbers from the count, I was extremely surprised that the returning officer put them the wrong way around.

"Obviously I was very concerned. I had a word with some people behind the scenes who spoke to John who then went onto correct the mistake. I have known John for many years and I am sure he was embarrassed but this can happen under huge pressure.

"The Labour candidate looked as surprised as me, if not more surprised. We almost laughed about it. But now that that is all over I am hugely delighted and relieved to have been re-elected."

Coun Trotman has been standing as a councillor for the Wiltshire Council and on the old district council for the last 28 years and said that his experience may have helped his cause once more.

"I was hoping that my experience would help me in my goal of getting re-elected. I will do my utmost to make sure Calne is at the forefront of Wiltshire's thoughts."

In the North West part of Wiltshire, the Conservatives dominated the local elections, something Coun Trotman puts down to his party delivering on their promises.

"I think that people realise that progress has been made and that the party's record speaks for itself," he said.

The turnout was 40.17% of the electorate.