BLACKWOOD Independent councillor Kevin Etheridge said he was overjoyed with the council election results in Caerphilly.

The Independents doubled their seats in the former Islwyn area from the last election, jumping from two to four, winning nine seats overall.

Now the group faces the prospect of deciding which party to form a coalition with and Cllr Etheridge said he would be discussing their options with his fellow Independent councillors in the coming days.

He said: "I think we need to talk to the other parties, it's fairly early days. I have always been in favour of coalition politics and working for the good of the community.

"All options are open, what we want is the best for the rate payers of Caerphilly County Borough, we're prepared to listen and discuss."