The Liberal Democrats have retained control of Chippenham Town Council but with a slightly reduced majority.

Before the elections last Thursday the Liberal Democrats held 17 of the 22 seats and have been in control of the town council for ten years.

As a result of the elections they hold 13 seats while the Conservatives have gained three more seats to hold five, and the one Labour seat was retained by current mayor Maureen Lloyd.

Three seats, two in Monkton Park and one in Allington, had no candidates so the council will co-opt.

The big surprise was the failure of Philip Allnatt to be re-elected to the council. The former long standing Independent councillor was standing in Park Ward rather than Monkton Park.

Six of the Lib Dem seats were uncontested.

Group leader Andrew Noblet said: "I am very concerned about the democratic deficit within the town. We have to co-opt three councillors and six of us were elected unopposed.

"I don't think that's good for democracy. Not having contested seats is a fairly common pattern across the area. This is the first time we have had to co-opt for ten or 15 years."

However he said he was pleased his group still have control of the town council.

"The electorate had the intelligence to spot the difference between the Lib Dems on the district council and on the town council. We didn't get blamed for closing leisure centres and raising car parking charges," he said.

Coun Noblet is expected to be re-elected as leader of the town council at next Wednesday's meeting.