Alnwick's Gordon Castle and Amble West with Warkworth's Jeff Watson have decided to remain in league with the Blues.

It means they will now form a Conservative and Independent group, which previously existed on the county council and of which they were also members.

With a total of 19 seats in the chamber, it relegates the former leading Labour group into third place, with just 17, and makes it the largest opposition to the Liberal Democrats, who have 26 councillors.

But it also narrows the options for the Lib Dems to bolster their lead by recruiting support from the other groups, in hope of achieving a majority.

Coun Castle said the decision was to ensure the people of his division would have a strong voice on the new authority.

"Committee places are allocated to groups in proportion to their size and the only way to get onto the most influential committees is to join a large group, otherwise you tend to pick up the crumbs," he said.

"The Conservative and Independent Group has always welcomed Independents and do not impose any conditions or party whip.

"Groups are not the same as political parties - we speak and vote as we see fit."

Coun Watson added, "We have to do what will enable us to represent our wards most effectively, and the only way onto the important committees is through the main groups.

"That is how the system works whether we like it or not.

"We are still independent and no political party has any hold over us."