Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats hailed gained ground in last Thursday’s county council election with an increased number of seats and share of the vote.

In St Albans and Watford, the Lib Dems gained a lead over the Conservatives in the popular vote, boosting their position ahead of next month’s general election.

The party increased their vote share in every seat and gained three county council seats from the Conservatives.

The Liberal Democrats remain the opposition party with 18 seats to the Tories’ 51, while the Labour Party dropped from 15 seats to nine.

Overall the Liberal Democrats polled 25 per cent of the county vote, significantly up on 2013 total of 17 per cent.

The Liberal Democrats topped the poll in the Watford and St Albans Westminster constituencies with 43 per cent of the vote respectively.

Liberal Democrat group leader Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: "I am delighted with our results, and to get new young female councillors elected in St Albans North and Haldens will greatly add to our group’s talent and strength.

“It is very clear that, had the General Election not been called in the middle of the local elections, we would have gained another six seats.

“It is obvious the massive national media attention has clearly increased the Conservative vote as voters turned out to vote on national issues not just local ones.

“Having said that, with our increased opposition status at county hall we will seek to hold the Conservatives to account and continue our campaign for a fair more open county council."