There will be some new faces in charge of the future of Helston and the Lizard Peninsula after last week's Cornwall Council elections resulted in half of the area's the seats being taken by newcomers.

A shake up in the Helston North division saw Mike Thomas take the seat from fellow Independent Phil Martin by just 44 votes.

Mr Thomas, who polled 534 votes to Mr Martin's 490, said: "I am delighted to have been elected to serve the community of Helston North at the Cornwall Council elections last week. I look forward to working with all people who live and work in this division."

He added that he was "learning a great deal about Cornwall" after spending the last two days at an induction process at County Hall.

Conservative Andrew Lews came third with 421 votes, followed by Liberal Democrat Yvonne Bates with 99 votes, with an overall voting turnout of 42 per cent in this division.

Mr Thomas has been joined by fellow town councillor and new boy John Martin, who replaces previous incumbent Judith Haycock in the Helston South division after she decided not to stand again following 18 years in local politics.

Liberal Democrat Mr Martin polled 455 votes compared to second placed Conservative candidate David Adams with 371 votes, with Independent James Buchanan in third place (131) followed by Mebyan Kernow's Alice Waddoups (109) and then UKIP's Thomas Maher (79).

The division saw one of the lowest turnouts, with just 29 per cent of the electorate casting their vote.

Mr Martin told the Packet he was "very pleased with the outcome" of the election, adding: "I've got a dozen cases to deal with already."

He said he had also been at the two-day induction, where there had been some "interesting party political discussions" taking place, and he would also be getting "fully involved" with the General Election campaign over the next four weeks.

One of the most convincing wins in the area was for Independent Andrew Wallis in Porthleven and Helston West, who took a 52 per cent share of the votes when he polled 747 - a 413-vote lead over the second placed Conservative candidate Danny Williams, who came in at 334 votes (23 per cent).

Between them they took three quarters of the votes, with Independent Neil Clark coming third (260 votes), followed by Liberal Democrat Jenny Dearlove (84).

Mr Wallis, who retains his seat for a third term, said: "No matter how many times you enter an election, it is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and not everyone can win. I am very happy and humbled to be elected again. I want to thank everyone who supported and voted for me.

"It is now time to get on with the job and do my very best for all of the residents of Porthleven and Helston West."

The division saw a turnout of just under 42 per cent.

The closest fought division in the area was St Keverne and Meneage, however, where the top two candidates received 44 per cent and 43 per cent of the votes respectively.

In the end it was Independent Julian Rand who snatched victory from Conservative Mark Parfitt, with a slim majority of just 26 votes.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Rand, who polled 753 votes to Mr Parfitt's 727, told the Packet: "I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their support during my election campaign.

"I am delighted to have been elected as the Cornwall Councillor for St Keverne and Meneage and I pledge my

commitment to working with the many communities within this wonderful area."

Liberal Democrat Wendy Gauntlett came third with 229 votes, with an overall turnout for the area of almost 43 per cent.

In Mullion and Grade Ruan, Independent Carolyn Rule retained her seat for a third term with 704 votes, a secure 246-vote lead over Conservative Alfred Mesropians in second place, who polled 458 votes. Liberal Democrat Marianna Baxter was third (375 votes), followed by the Green Party's Helen Angel (109).

The turnout for the division was 49 per cent.

Finally, in Breage, Germoe and Sithney, Conservative John Keeling was once again elected by an impressive 455-vote lead, polling 802 votes to second place Mebyon Kernow candidate Michael Tresidder's 347. Karen La Borde of the Green Party was third with 322, followed by Liberal Democrat Philippe Hadley with 205.

The turnout was 47 per cent.