DEFEAT at the district council elections came as a bitter blow for Liberal Democrat Su Thorpe - as it means she will now miss out on becoming the next mayor of Salisbury.

But Tories in south Wiltshire were in triumphant mood this week, after sweeping to victory in the polls.

They took 31 of the 55 Salisbury district council seats, while Labour took 11, the Liberal Democrats nine and Independents four.

The Green Party failed to pick up a seat.

Mrs Thorpe, who had held the former Stratford Ward for the Lib-Dems since 1995, came fourth this time round, in the new, merged three-seat ward of St Mark and Stratford.

She polled 902 votes but lost out to Tories Patrick Paisey (1,157 votes), Jeremy Nettle (1,121) and Sheila Warrander (1,099).

Moments after the result was declared at the City Hall last Thursday night, a tearful Mrs Thorpe, who was due to have been sworn in as first citizen at the traditional mayor-making ceremony in June, told the Journal: "These things happen in politics but it is particularly disappointing to lose your seat when you are about to become mayor.

"I feel especially sad for the mental health charity that would have benefited from my mayoral appeal fund. I was hoping to do really well for them."

With husband Tony at her side, she said: "It's too early to think about comebacks at this stage.

"Ask me in six months' time and I'll give you an answer then."

She said she and her husband would now be taking a holiday.

The role of mayor will now go to her fellow Lib-Dem Bobbie Chettleburgh, who triumphed in St Edmund and Milford Ward with former mayor Paul Sample.

Mrs Chettleburgh said: "I feel so desperately sorry for Su. She would have made a wonderful mayor.

"I would have much preferred to have served as her deputy for a year, instead of going straight into the office.

"But being mayor of your city is a great privilege and I will do my very best to live up to the honour."

The result means that the Conservatives, who have ruled the council with the help of the Independents for the past two years, can now govern alone.

Scenes at the declaration of results at Salisbury City Hall during Thursday night and the early hours of Friday ranged from jubilation to tears.

There were shouts of "We have it, we have it" from delighted Tory leader Kevin Wren as his party passed the magical 28-seats target.