Conservative Party supporters are celebrating after retaining all four of their Halesowen seats in yesterday's local elections.

The party's three returning candidates in Belle Vale, Halesowen North and Hayley Green and Cradley South all won with large majorities, while David Vickers eased to victory in retiring councillor Harold Jackson's Halesowen South seat.

There was better news for Labour in Cradley and Foxcote, where Gaye Partridge retained her seat with a slender majority of 162.

Turnout across the five wards down on last year, with an average of 35.92 per cent.

The Halesowen South result marked a triumphant return for former councillor Vickers, who lost his Lye and Wollescote seat in 2006.

He scooped a whopping 65.45 per cent of the vote with a 1,833 majority over his nearest rival, Andrew Matthews of the Labour Party, who took only 734 votes.

Councillor Vickers said: "I am delighted with the result, and I am really looking forward to getting back into council work and helping the people of Dudley.

"If I can do half of what Harold has done I will be very pleased."

British National Party candidate came third with 342 votes, with UKIP's Raymond Franklin taking 264 votes.

In Hayley Green and Cradley South Hazel Turner comfortably retained her seat after taking 2,189 votes, a majority of 1,392.

She defeated Labour's Michael Kelly who took 797 votes, with UKIP's Caroline Dredge trailing in third with 497 votes.

In Halesowen North Lesley Faulkner retained her seat after scoring 1,755 votes, a majority of 965 over Labour rival Richard Lloyd, who took 790 votes.

UKIP's Stuart Henley came third with 550 votes, while British National Party candidate Tony Gill took 351 votes.

Cllr Faulkner said she would now work to tackle key issues in the ward, which include Shell Corner regeneration and the future of the Coombs Wood Green Wedge.

Cllr Faulkner said: "I am looking forward to getting back to the work I am doing with the council and residents."

There was further success for the Tories in Belle Vale, where Jennie Dunn retained seat with a majority of 756 after taking 53.47 per cent of the vote.

Cllr Dunn said she would continue to work for the people of the ward, tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour and litter.

She said: "I am very happy with the result, I will now keep fighting to improve the quality of life for the residents of Belle Vale."

Labour's Hilary Bills finished second after polling 1,037 votes, with UKIP's Jane Franklin trailing in third with 498 votes.

In the closest contest of the night Labour candidate Gaye Partridge clung on to her seat after polling 37.78 per cent of the vote, with Tory candidate Glenis Sims second after taking 1,025 votes.

UKIP's Barry Rose finished third with 679 votes, while Independent candidate Safeanah Yasmin took 236 votes.