TORIES are keeping local politics in the family with two gains in the borough council elections.

Kimberley Anderson, 24, won Sutton ward from Labour's Tamara Hill.

The new Cllr Anderson is the sister of Gareth Anderson, who held on to his Ledsham ward in Thursday night's count, and who was first elected in 2002.

Their father Brian Anderson was voted into the Groves ward in 2003.

She said: 'I'm the youngest female councillor here ever. I've lived in the area since I was three and know the people and their views, so I want to do them proud.'

The other Tory gain was Jeanette Starkey in Whitby. The ward had been previously occupied by independent councillor Mike McCusker, who stepped down.

The new Cllr Starkey is the wife of Tory councillor Jonathan Starkey, elected for Ledsham ward in 2003.

She said: 'I'm delighted to be voted in by the residents of Whitby. I'll do my best to serve them.'

Meanwhile, there's a new face in Parkgate where Nils Anderson held for the Tories. He is no relation to the other three Andersons on the council.

And Cllr Ian Ormerod held on to his Strawberry Fields seat after publicly leaving the Labour Party last year, becoming an independent, then joining the Tories.

Tory group leader Cllr Myles Hogg, who held Willaston & Thornton with a 1,100 majority, said it now takes the Tories on the borough council from 12 to 15.

He added: 'This result will enable us to provide a vigorous opposition to the council's ruling Labour group.

'This was not just an anti-Labour vote but a vote for our hard working councillors.'

Cllr Gareth Anderson, deputy Tory leader, said: 'Labour's vote has dropped significantly in every ward. We have clearly stormed ahead.'

Labour MP Andrew MIller said: 'Given the rather disastrous position we've had nationally in the last 10 days, this is a respectable result.

'We are desperately sad to lose Tamara Hill, given she is seriously ill, and we wish her every success in the future.'

Turnout for wards wavered between 22.6% and 47.5%, while overall it was 33.3%.

The state of the parties now is: Labour 26, Conservative 15 and Liberal 2.