After losing his seat Croydon's Liberal Democrat leader Ian Atkins refused to blame his defection from the Conservatives.

His party no longer has any seats on the council while the party he left behind stormed to power.

He said: "I'm disappointed I would be mad to say otherwise. But I don't think my defection had anything to do with the loss.

"I held on to my votes but there seemed to be a general trend across the borough toward the Conservatives.

"From here we will rebuild but also build on the successes we have achieved. I want to champion this party and I think we've got every chance next time."