THE national rise of the UK Independence Party continued today in Bucks - but the Conservatives still stormed back to power.

The Tories retained control, with 36 seats out of 49 at County Hall. See full table of results HERE.

But UKIP, headed by South-East Euro MP Nigel Farage, won six seats at the county council ballot, becoming the main opposition party.

Previously, the party held no county council seats, though it had begun to make inroads at the district council votes in 2011.

Most notably, UKIP candidates Chris Adams and Alan Stevens won in two of the areas most badly affected by High Speed 2 - Wendover, Halton & Stoke Mandeville and Great Missenden.

The victories will be seen as a clear message to Tory HQ about the strength of opposition to the £33bn rail scheme in a traditional Conservative patch.

The overall turnout was  30.3 per cent.

Share of the votes by party

  1. Conservative 36 41.0%
  2. UK Independence Party 6 27.0%
  3. Liberal Democrat 5 14.9%
  4. Labour 1 11.5%
  5. Independent 1 3.8%
  6. Green 0 1.7%
  7. Trade Unionists & Socialists Against Cuts 0 < 1%