THE leader of Dudley's Conservative Party says the Tories will be looking to seize back control of the council in 2016.

Councillor Patrick Harley was suitably buoyant following confirmation that the Conservatives had secured enough votes for a majority government - and spirits rose even higher after the local election count for Dudley South, held at Brierley Hill Civic Hall this afternoon (Friday May 8), where old and new party members enjoyed victory.

He said: "I did say when I took over in February 2012 we'd look to take control in May 2016. We have weathered the storm with UKIP in Dudley North and pushed them back in Dudley South so next year we can look forward to an all out assault to take control."

He said party campaigners had enjoyed a "fantastic" response on the door step which had left members scratching their heads "wondering what on earth was wrong with the pollsters'.

In Kingswinford South, veteran Tory councillor Peter Miller held onto his seat of 15 years after securing a whopping 3,828 votes - beating Labour's Shaz Saleem (1,673), and UKIP candidate Peter Hillman (1,356) and Green candidate Vicky Duckworth who polled 326.

Overcome with emotion as the results were announced, the 70-year-old former Mayor of Dudley said: "I'm very happy and my thanks go to the wonderful people of Kingswinford South for supporting me. I always thought I was going to win but it was amazing when I stood there and heard it."

Young Conservative candidates Matt Rogers (Wordsley) and Nicola Richardson (Kingswinford North and Wall Heath) also enjoyed success.

Tree surgeon Mr Rogers, from Stourbridge, polled 3,037 to beat Labour's Bill Cody (2,071), UKIP's John Macleod (1,623) and Green Party candidate Catherine Maguire (161) to take the seat - after a series of failed attempts in the Stourbridge area.

While University of Birmingham politics student Miss Richards, and just 20, becomes one of Dudley Council's youngest elected representatives.

The former King Edward VI College student polled 3,672 leaving Labour's Lynn Boleyn trailing behind with 1,944, UKIP's Karl Reynolds with 1,553 and Green Party candidate Luke Harrison with 196 votes.

She was overjoyed at her victory and said: "It's amazing. It's a great opportunity. I'm grateful to the electorate that has given me the opportunity."

She said her success proves politics does attract "people from all walks of life and of all ages" and she added: "Studying politics you miss out what happens on the ground. It's not about polls and theories - it's about talking to people and forging positive relationship with constituents."

Her college pal Simon Phipps, also 20 but younger by a few months, also won a seat on Dudley Council - in the Belle Vale ward.

Meanwhile Labour stalwarts Rachel Harris and Karen Jordan hung onto their Brierley Hill and Brockmoor and Pensnett seats comfortably.

Cllr Harris polled 2,351 against Tory Kamran Razzaq (1,429), UKIP's Carl Owen (1,409) and Green candidate Christopher Elcock who polled 275; while Karen Jordan polled 2,069 compared to Tory Sue Greenaway (1,593), UKIP candidate Jennifer Hill (1,374) and the Green Party's Ben Sweeney (127).

Both long-serving Labour members thanked the electorate and their dedicated campaigners and cllr Harris added: "Elections are won on hard work over time - we're continually working hard in Brierley Hill all year round. I'm about to embark on my 21st year as a councillor and I'm really looking forward to it and once again working with the community."

Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews ward councillor Qadar Zada also held onto his seat - polling 2,113 votes against UKIP's Stephen Daniels (1,474), the Green Party's Bill McComish (1,288) and Tory Chris Neale (1,201).

He said: "I'm not one of those people that have taken the electorate for granted. Nobody could've predicted what has happened nationally. I promise I will work hard for every single person in Netherton, Woodside and St Andrews.

"Being a councillor is a privilege - it's not something you should expect year on year. I'm grateful to win and I will never forget that."

Popular community campaigner and councillor Lynn Boleyn, who joined Labour when sentiment for the Lib Dems started to wane nationally, said she was "disappointed but not surprised" to have been ousted by Tory Nicola Richards.

She added: "It's always the same when you have a general and a local election, it's always going to mirror the general and what's happened nationally.

"It's been a funny old election. I've always worked for the community and you don't stop when you lose your seat. I'm still a charity trustee at Kewford Eagles where there's a lot of work still to be done."