The Conservatives have won the election for the fourth time running in Bexley.

Power shifted from Labour to the Tories in 2006, and the trend has continued this year despite increasing pressure over CCTV and open spaces.

The Conservatives received a strong majority of the vote, winning 55 per cent, compared to Labour’s 37 per cent.

UKIP lost its three seats in the borough, which overall had a 37 per cent turnout.

So for the next four years, the council will be formed of 34 Conservative councillors and an opposition of 11 Labour.

The Conservatives faced pressure from Labour over a controversial decision to stop monitoring CCTV in real time and plans to build homes on four parks.

Following the previous council’s decision to grant outline planning permission for houses on Old Farm Park, one ward that was potentially in the balance was Sidcup.

The Conservatives held it, with Councillors June Slaughter, Cheryl Bacon and Richard Thornton Diment receiving double the number of votes of their Labour competitors.

Teresa O’Neill, leader of the Conservatives in Bexley, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the fact that Bexley residents have clearly shown they trust us with their services, money and borough for the fourth election in a row.

“We showed in our manifesto that we have a clear plan and aspirations for our borough and we intend to get on with delivering for our residents.”

Labour held wards in the North of the borough, including Belvedere, Erith, Thamesmead East, and Slade Green and Northend.

Northumberland Heath was split, with John Fuller for the Conservatives and Labour’s Wendy Perfect being elected.

Daniel Francis, leader of Bexley Labour, said: "Yesterday, Labour candidates  in Bexley achieved 37 per cent of the vote, the party's highest vote at a council election for 16 years.

"The party's candidates and volunteers fought a hugely energetic campaign offering a range of alternative policies to the residents of Bexley.

"The council has new boundaries with a number of larger wards which combined with a sharp fall in the UKIP vote, resulted in a difficult electoral challenge for us.

"Considering the reduction in seats on the council, our group is marginally larger than it was four years ago, and we will continue to work with residents and groups across the borough to fight for the values that over a third of residents voted for."

The ward was in contention following a resident-led campaign to protect open spaces in Wilde Road from development.