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The Conservatives still rule the corridors of power, but the 2011 council elections also threw up their fair share of shocks.

The Tories gained 26 out of 36 seats in Macclesfield and Wilmslow but were left stunned by the exit of cabinet member for heath Andrew Knowles who lost his seat by less than 100 votes.

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A resurgent Labour secured five seats - the party's first Macclesfield seats since the formation of Cheshire East three years ago.

Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats were reeling after heavy losses. Their leader Ainsley Arnold was the party's most high profile casualty.

He was deposed from the Broken Cross ward along with fellow long standing Liberal Democrat councillor John Narraway.

John said he was 'disappointed' with the result and pointed to his party's problems nationally. There was one beacon of hope for them as David Neilson won in Macclesfield East.

It was good day for Labour as candidates Ken Edwards and Janet Jackson gained the Macclesfield Central ward, Laura Jeuda came out on top in Macclesfield South, and former Macclesfield Borough councillors Gill Boston and Alift Harewood returned in Hurdsfield and Macclesfield West and Ivy respectively.

The Independents also defied expectations, particularly in Handforth and Tytherington.

Newcomer and pub landlord Lloyd Roberts will join former independent borough councillor Brendan Murphy as Tytherington's two independent representatives.

And Handforth's former borough councillor Barry Burkhill and Dennis Mahon, both Ratepayers, will now represent Handforth after polling close to 3,000 votes between them.

Click here for the results in full