The Tories swept the board in Halesowen retaining all four Dudley Council wards – although Conservative Jeff Hill endured a nail-biting finish until the postal vote tipped the balance.

He faced a re-election battle against teacher and former NUT national president Hilary Bills and the results were neck-and-neck until the postal votes gave him the edge and a slim majority of 80 at the Cornbow Hall count.

The Halesowen North result – with Labour on 2,705 and the Conservatives on 2,785 – saw the two main parties closer than in the general election of a few hours earlier, which was a more decisive win for the Conservatives, polling 186 more votes than Labour in the ward.

Mr Hill said: “I expected a close contest because of the high turnout for the general election. The theory is that Labour voters are less likely to vote, so with a high turnout you will get more Labour voters.”

A surprised Mrs Bills thanked the people of Halesowen North for coming out “in such great numbers” to support her.

Veteran Tory John Woodall was given a clear mandate by the people of Halesowen South with a majority of more than 2,000, polling 4,593 votes, over Labour’s Toni Kenning, who won 2,528 votes.

Mr Woodall, who has served as a councillor for 20 years, said: “I re-affirm my pledge that I will do my best for anyone needing help or assistance, irrespective of their political persuasion or views and will continue to champion Halesowen at Dudley Council.”

Conservative Ray Burston held Hayley Green and Cradley South with 3,859 over Labour’s Michael Kelly, who polled 2,560, giving him a majority of 1,299.

The former Dudley mayor said even if he had not won, he would have remained “eternally grateful” to the people of the area for giving him the chance to be mayor last year and experience what makes the people of the borough “tick.”

He added: “I am committed to all the people of Hayley Green and the town of Halesowen, which as my adopted town, I love with a passion because it has given so much to me and my family.”

Belle Vale remains the seat of Conservative Jill Nicholls, who polled 2,904 votes in a closely-fought battle against Labour’s Andy Matthews who gained 2,789 votes giving her a small majority of 115.

She thanked the people of Belle Vale “from the bottom of her heart” for their loyal support and putting their trust in her again.

Her priorities are to ensure faster responses to housing issues and repairs, to work with the police to crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour, to improve road safety and maintenance and to promote a clean and healthy environment.

UKIP’s Bill Roberts polled 982 votes in Belle Vale and Stuart Henley gained 921 votes in Halesowen North.