IT WAS A case of ‘as you were’ in the Shropshire Council elections last week as all incumbent councillors were re-elected.

With eight seats up for grabs – three in Whitchurch, two in Wem and one each in Prees, Ellesmere Urban and The Meres – there were no shock results announced in Shrewsbury on Friday.

In Whitchurch North, Conservative pair Peggy Mullock and Tom Biggins were returned with the former securing more than 40 per cent of the overall vote and polling more than 1,000 votes.

Cllr Mullock was delighted to once again represent the people of her division and increase her share of the vote.

She said: “I’m delighted to be elected and by some way too.

“It goes to show that people of Whitchurch North have seen what we have done over the years.

“Ensuring a medical centre is my main business for the coming years and everybody knows how much that is needed.”

Cllr Biggins, who was embroiled in the controversial Dearnford Lake re-naming issue in the build up to the election, retained his seat with 681 with Green candidate Liz Lever polling 421 votes.

Cllr Biggins said: “I would like to thank the voters of Whitchurch for returning both Peggy Mullock and I.”

In Whitchurch South, Conservative candidate Gerald Dakin continued his long service, securing more than 50 per cent of the overall vote.

He said: “I’m really pleased by this result.

“Of course I’m always happy to win, but there’s lots to do and we’ve got to get on with it.”

Meanwhile, in Wem, both Lib Dem candidate Chris Mellings and Independent Pauline Dee were re-elected – much to the delight of Cllr Dee.

She admitted she feared what the election held for her in the build up, but was returned with nearly 30 per cent of the vote and a majority of around 400 over Conservative candidate Peter Broomhall.

She said: “I want to say thank you to all the residents who voted for me.

“Thirty-six years ago, I was co-opted onto the town council and since then I have worked hard for them.

“We’ll be working hard for the people.”

Cllr Mellings was returned with nearly 1,500 votes and was equally delighted to maintain his long service record.

He added: “I’m absolutely delighted to be returned and grateful for all the support from people in Wem.

“I’m looking to being their councillor again.”

In the Prees division, Conservative councillor Paul Wynn secured nearly two-thirds of the vote to defeat Independent Andrew Whyte.

He said: “I’d like to thank those who voted for me. I will try to move the council forward.”

Ellesmere Urban Conservative Councillor Ann Hartley was also returned with a two-thirds majority while Brian Williams – also Conservative – was re-elected in The Meres.