The Liberal Democrats continued a recent winning streak in council by-elections by taking one seat from Labour and another from the Conservatives in the latest local contests.

Labour's failure to defend its seat in the Totnes ward of South Hams District Council was mired in controversy, with Labour former cabinet minister Ben Bradshaw, MP for Exeter, accusing supporters of embattled party leader Jeremy Corbyn of responsibility for the debacle.

Corbynites take over Totnes CLP choose ineligible candidate who runs as "Independent" & lose our only seat on South Hams council! Well done! -- Ben Bradshaw (@BenPBradshaw) July 28, 2016

Voting in the by-election prompted by the resignation of a Labour councillor was: LD 812, Green 499, Ind 391, C 137.

The Lib Dem victory over the Conservatives came in the Newlyn & Goonhavern division of Cornwall Council by a narrow majority of just 13 votes.

(Ben Birchall/PA)

Voting in the contest following the resignation of a Tory councillor was: LD 247, C 234, Ind Yeo 163, Mebyon Kernow 161, Lab 77, Ind Spencer 75, Ind Thomas 54.

In other council by-elections, Lib Dems held seats at Newport (St Julians ward) and Sutton (Carshalton Central), while Conservatives held seats at East Hampshire (The Hangers & Forest) and Wychavon (Droitwich West) and Labour held a seat at Haringey (Harringay).

The Lib Dems' latest wins mean the party has taken seven seats from other parties and independents in recent weeks.