Conservative supporters were jubilant after all four of their Halesowen councillors retained their seats at last Thursday's local elections.

Turnout across the Belle Vale, Halesowen North, Halesowen South and Hayley Green and Cradley South wards was up on last year with an average of 40.3%.

In Halesowen South Alan Taylor (pictured top left) was comfortably re-elected and vowed to contnue pressing ahead with the regeneration of the town centre.

He scooped a whopping 57.82% of the vote with a 1,475 majority over his nearest rival, Martin Knight of the Labour Party, who took 927 votes.

Councillor Taylor said: "I am delighted with the result, it gives me the oppportunity to see the regeneration of the town through."

British National Party candidate Pete Morris came third with 492 votes with UKIP's Raymond Franklin taking 314 votes.

In Halesowen North Karen Shakespeare (left) retained her seat after taking 1787 votes, a majority of 767.

She defeated Labour's Mushtaq Hussain who took 1,020 votes, with the BNP's Tony Gill third with 683 and UKIP's Stuart Henley fourth with 477.

Councillor Shakepeare said: "We have done a lot of hard work in the ward and there is a lot more to come."

Ken Turner (top right) retained his Hayley Green and Cradley South Ward after scoring 1,890 votes. He claimed the victory showed Tory policies had been accepted by the public.

Cllr Turner said: "We are building a new society that the residents of Dudley can enjoy."

Labour's Mike Kelly trailed in second with 898 votes, UKIP's Caroline Dredge was third with 675 and the Green Party's Christopher Lees was fourth with 282 votes.

In the closest fought contest of the night, Councillor Bob James (centre right) retained his Belle Vale seat with a majority of 305 after taking 40.47% of the vote.

Cllr James put the tight result down to the number of candidates standing in the ward.

He said: "We knew it would be close because there were five candidates and Labour were targeting this ward in particular.

"I would like to thank all the people in Belle Vale for my re-election."

Labour candidate Christine Conway came second with 1,175 votes, BNP's David Griffiths third with 511, UKIP's Michael Partridge scored 263 with Respect's Richard Alonzo trailing in fifth with 211 votes.

The Cradley and Foxcote Ward saw a smaller turnout of only 34.63%, with Councillor Richard Body (below right) retaining his seat after polling a majority of 442 over his nearest rival.

Cllr Body took 1,504 votes, and put his victory down to the hard work of the last four years.

He said: "I will keep on doing the best I can for the area in which I live."

Conservative hopeful John Perry came second with 1,062 votes, UKIP's Barry Rose came third scoring 650 and Green Party candidate Michael Sheridan trailed in fourth with 153 votes.

Results across the borough meant the Tories held onto overall control of Dudley Council.

The Conservatives lost one seat across the borough, giving them a total of 39 councillors.

Labour picked up two seats giving them 28 councillors.

The Liberal Democrats still have five councillors.

The UK Independence Party lost its only seat on the council - St James's ward.