AN Independent topped the poll in a stunning victory.

Former Labour Party member Terry Lyons, 61, is celebrating after coming first in Holme Valley North.

He won a town hall seat by 577 votes over his nearest rival, a Liberal Democrat.

Elsewhere, former councillor Dorothy Lindley is back on the council.

Mrs Lindley, a Tory who turned independent and then became a Tory again, won a seat in Colne Valley.

It was at the expense of Liberal Democrat Clr David Ridgway, his party group's business manager and a member of West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority.

Counting in the elections got under way at 9am yesterday. The last result was not declared until just after 3pm.

The major casualty of the election was Liberal Democrat Cabinet member David Payne, who lost out in Lindley.

Labour was putting on a brave face after losing four seats and slipping to become the third-largest party.

Labour leader Clr Mehboob Khan said he was happy his party had held steady in the face of a predicted protest vote over the war in Iraq.

"I'm pleased with this outcome. Labour were predicted to lose about 10 seats if we followed the national trend," he said.

The election was fought on new ward boundaries, with 23 wards instead of 24.

Tory councillor Martyn Bolt amassed the most votes of the poll - a whopping 3,661 in Mirfield.

Colin Walder lost his seat in Dalton in spectacular fashion, coming last out of 15 candidates.

The former Liberal Democrat, who was standing as an Independent, got just 285 votes.

The top turnout was 59.3% in Batley East and the lowest was 41.6% in Dalton.