Watford's Liberal Democrats have hailed their “best ever election results in the history of the borough council”.

The party won 11 of 12 wards – gaining three – as the only opposition party Labour lost three of the four seats they were defending.

Lib Dem mayor Peter Taylor said: “These sensational local election results are the result of hard work by the Liberal Democrat team all year round and the record of councillors working hard for the community.

Watford Observer: The Liberal Democrats are celebrating a successful set of local election results.

"At a time when other councils are declaring themselves bankrupt, we have been focusing on delivering on the best possible local services.

“We now have 30 councillors, each working hard for local residents. I am so grateful to every person who put their trust in us.”

He continued: “The next general election will be fought on new boundaries. We now have real momentum going into these – with support for the Conservatives plummeting and Labour losing 3 of their 4 seats.

"The Liberal Democrats will be doing everything we can to elect Ian Stotesbury as our town’s next MP.”

It means the council makeup is now 31 Lib Dems and six Labour. No other party holds any seats.