WEST Somerset voters helped change the political face of Somerset as the UK Independence Party tasted success for the first time in the district in county council elections.

The Conservatives, previously in control of all four divisions, watched power slip away from them in two key areas.

Former Minehead mayor Terry Venner topped the poll in the town, ousting sitting Conservative Brenda Maitland-Walker to become one of three UKIP councillors to win seats in the county.

Mrs Maitland-Walker, who had served just one term on the authority, was beaten into third place, with businessman Marcus Kravis, standing on a Liberal Democrat ticket, securing 645 votes to her 608.

Mr Venner polled 765 votes, with Independent Andrew Hadley 448 and Lesley Culverhouse for Labour bringing up the rear with 265.

The Tories also lost control of the newly named Watchet and Stogursey division with Chris Morgan failing to keep the seat formerly held by Anthony Trollope-Bellew, who decided to stand down.

Independent Hugh Davies, a Williton newsagent and West Somerset councillor, scored a resounding victory, polling 1,062 votes.

Runner-up Mr Morgan secured 801 votes, followed by UKIP's Susan Bamford with 543 and Labour again in last place with Alan Bond on 313.

But sitting Conservative councillor Christine Lawrence held on to her Dunster seat, beating UKIP candidate Stephen Fitzgerald into second place by 978 votes to 687.

Labour and Co-Operative candidate Andy Lewis polled 343 votes, with Liberal Democrat Tony Bowden 215 and Nicky Gibbard for the Green Party on 195.

In the Dulverton and Exmoor division, Frances Nicholson also retained her seat for the Tories, storming to victory with 1,650 votes.

Closest rival Adrian Behan for UKIP polled 643, followed by Labour's Maureen Smith on 293.

West Somerset's border divisions of Lydeard and Upper Tone also saw some changes.

Both were formerly held by the Tories but both sitting councillors John Wilkins and Tony McMahon stood down, leaving a new field of candidates to battle it out.

Although the Tories held on to Upper Tone with James Hunt polling 1,028, Upper Lydeard, was taken by Independent Mike Rigby who topped the poll with 1,512 votes.

The Conservatives narrowly held on to overall control of the county council, securing the minimum 28 seats needed to secure a majority.

The Liberal Democrats came second with 18 seats, with UKIP and Labour both winning three and Independents taking two.

Other results for Upper Tone - Steve Ross (Independent) 919, Christopher Chanter (UKIP) 612, Ben Elkins (Labour) 332, Alice Bridges-Westcott (Lib Dem) 219.

And for Lydeard - Caroline Smeaton (Con) 895, Paul Partington (Lib Dem) 278, Jon Gray (Labour and Co-Operative) 118.

Turnout figures are not available for all divisions but in Minehead it was 39 per cent, Watchet and Stogursey 36 per cent and Lydeard 40 per cent.