"I'm proud. 976 personal votes - I'm humbled by that," said defeated independent candidate Andrew Retter as the numbers were announced.

He lost out to Jonathan Bianco (Con) with 1,559 votes, Duncan Flynn (Con) with 1,180 and John Morgan (Con) who got 1,399.

"People came out and supported me and the principles of independence," said the former Conservative member for the north borough ward, who was deselected in a major reshuffle of potential candidates last year..

"They voted for a councillor who they know is accessible and who would try to do the job for them to the best of their ability.

"I couldn't have done any more.

"I fought a very honest, decent campaign.

"And my hope is that the three newly elected councillors don't go in to the dark abyss as they have done over the years, and only really surface three months before an election.

"This is a job you have to put heart and soul in to."

Mr Retter was left off the candidate list  because his 'actions fell well below acceptable standards', according to leader of the council, Ray Puddifoot, during an often bitter deselection process last autumn.

Mr Retter appealed the decision but this was  rejected by Conservative party central office.  At the time he said he felt he had been 'stabbed in the back'.

Andrew Riley, chairman of Northwood Hills Residents Association, thanked Mr Retter for his work over the years.

"Andrew has worked immensely hard for Northwood Hills over the years," he said.

"I wish him all the luck for the future."

Mr Retter promised he was 'not going to disappear'.

"The three councillors will now have a resident advocate who will question them all the time," he said.

"'Putting residents first' is not words - it will have to be action", he said, quoting the ruling Conservative group's slogan.

"My wife hates the fact I've lost; she's trying to find a new job for me."

Karen Retter, Mr Retter's wife, called it a 'sad day' for Northwood Hills.

"I don't think we've got candidates that are going to work for the residents," she said.

"I'll leave it at that."