Jubilant Market Drayton Tories have been celebrating after a clean sweep in the unitary council elections.
All six seats in the Market Drayton area are now represented by Conservative councillors, with the party also taking full control of the unitary council by winning 54 seats from a possible 74.
The new council will also consist of 11 Liberal Democrat councillors, seven Labour councillors and two Independents.
The first elections for the new unitary Shropshire Council had been described as one of the most important events in Shropshire’s history.
The Market Drayton East ward was won by Brian Gillow OBE. Roger Hughes and David Minnery, the former Leader of North Shropshire District Council, will both represent Market Drayton West.
Andrew Davies will now represent the Cheswardine ward which includes Childs Ercall, Hinstock and Sutton-upon-Tern. Karen Calder will continue to represent Hodnet.
Finally Paul Wynn is to represent Prees, which includes Adderley and Moreton Say.
Councillor David Minnery said he believed the biggest issue he faces is the regeneration of Market Drayton’s Town centre.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to win, historically the ward is an area of the town that you could never forecast.
“I think national politics has had an impact on what happened. As a a party we were confident we would win but we felt we would achieve anything between 40 and 48 seats – to get 54 is certainly a landslide.
“I think for me and Roger Hughes the main thing, as ever, is making sure people can afford to buy homes in Market Drayton. House prices have come down slightly but it is still very expensive to live there.
“We also need to look at the regeneration of the town centre and attracting new businesses.”
Brian Gillow OBE will now enter his 28th year as a councillor in the area.
He said: “In my time as a councillor I have never known an election like it. To have 50 plus Conservatives and only 20 in the opposition is a very high majority.
“I think in my ward it is a case of keeping up the good work, it seems to have a very good heart, particularly in Norton in Hales and Woore.
“I would also like to see more people living in the centre of Market Drayton. There are a lot of empty shops there and I think they could be made into some very nice houses.”