With ballot papers being cast on Thursday and votes counted at the eight boroughs and districts across the county over the weekend, the dust has now settled on Staffordshire County Councils elections.

With all of the results now being announced, the Conservatives have retained control of the council with an increased majority.

With all 62 seats contested, the Conservatives won 57 compared to Labour's four, with the remaining seat being taken by an Independent.

This will be the fourth consecutive four-year term in charge of the County Council for the Conservatives following 2009, 2013 and 2017.

The Conservatives entered the election holding 50 seats, with 10 for Labour and two independent councillors.

In total, 243 candidates stood in 60 divisions for election to the 62 seats available, with 32 seats needed to provide a majority in the council chamber.

Seats were contested in Leek Rural and Leek South, with the Conservatives managing to retain their seat in Leek Rural, while Leek South stayed with Labour.

Gill Heath won with the Conservatives in Leek Rural, and Labour's Charlotte Atkins brought home the win for Labour in Leek South.

In Leek Rural, Gill Heath won 2,291 votes, equating to a 57% share. In second place was Labour's Matt Swindlehurst, who received 875 votes - a 22% share.

In third place, Independent candidate Linda Malyon received 533 votes, equating to a 13% share, and Green Party candidate Jonathan Kempster finished fourth with 330 votes and an 8% share.

A total of 4,029 votes were cast, and 15 ballot papers were spoiled.

In Leek South, Labour's Charlotte Atkins won 2,132 votes, also with a 57% share - the same as Gill Heath in Leek Rural. The Conservatives' Joanne Cox received 1,413 votes and a 38% share, finishing in second place.

In third place was Liberal Democrat candidate Roy Gregg, with 172 votes and a 5% share.

A total of 3,717 votes were cast, and 22 ballot papers were spoiled.

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