A Lib Dem candidate has described her "shock" at how well UKIP did in yesterday's elections for Surrey County Council in Mole Valley.

Although there was no change of borough seats at county hall,  Roger Bird, of UKIP, came second in Leatherhead and Fetcham East and party candidates were third in five other wards.

Lib Dem Bridget Lewis-Carr, who was pushed into third place in Leatherhead and Fetcham East, described UKIP as an 'unknown factor' during the elections.

She said: "It was quite a shock to see how effective they were. They did steal our votes, a lot of votes."

A Mole Valley borough councillor, she said: "I have never lost an election before. It came as a bit of a shock."

Meanwhile Conservative Clare Curran was pleased to be voted in again for Bookham and Fetcham West despite UKIP having a "significantly larger presence" than in the 2009 election.

She said: "It's clear the national impact is having a really big effect on our doorstep."

Conservative Tim Hall, who was reelected as county councillor for Leatherhead and Fetcham East, said he was happy and relieved to win after a very hard campaign.

He said UKIP results were 'quite patchy' across the country, adding: "A lot of it is a protest vote.

"I hope our Government and national politicians take notice that there are a lot of very upset people worried about immigration and the economy."

Nevertheless he said county councillors kept their seats because local issues continue to matter most. He said: "This is a local election for local people."

Mole Valley borough council leader and Ashtead Independent Chris Townsend was reelected in Ashtead with nearly 2,300 votes ahead of Tory rival Tim Ashton.

Turnout was 31.5 per cent in Leatherhead and Fetcham East and 38.7 per cent in Ashtead, compared to 41 per cent across Surrey in 2009.

Conservative Helyn Clack won in Dorking Rural, Lib Dem Stephen Cooksey won in Dorking South and Holmwoods and Lib Dem Hazel Watson won in Dorking Hills.