NEW council representatives were decided earlier this afternoon after Fifers took to the polls yesterday (Thursday).

In Central and West Fife there are old and new faces, all promising to make a difference for those living in the eight wards.

The SNP failed to reach a majority after winning 34 seats, up five from last year's vote which saw them settle on a coalition agreement with Labour.

They would have needed 38 to take control of the council.

Labour are down four seats, losing members in Dunfermline Central, where Garry Haldane lost his spot to Aude Boubaker-Calder of the Liberal Democrats, and in Cowdenbeath where Bailey-Lee Robb replaced Gary Guichan.

The vote saw Provost Jim Leishman retain his seat in Dunfermline Central for the Labour party, alongside SNP members Derek Gareth Glen and Jean Hall Muir.

Newcomer Aude Boubaker-Calder saw a win in the ward, she said: "What a fantastic result, I didn't expect it to be that much, it was great to see that people want a change.

"I have been working a lot through the years, not only in terms of doing case work, but also getting out the door a lot, we need people who are active.

"We need active councillors working on local issues and being their voice in the council, not the voice of the council to them.

"A lot of people have been disappointed with the major parties because they have never seen anyone at the door - seeing a face at the door, coming back to them, they appreciate that."

In Dunfermline North, Auxi Barrera took an emotional win, "I have no words!" She said.

"Excited is the right word at the moment, the turnout has been much better than we expected, many people were supportive, yesterday was funny, we found a family who didn't vote and they said 'oh my gosh, let's go and vote!'"

Also elected in the ward were Gavin Ellis and Gordon Pryde.

In Dunfermline South, SNP members Naz Anis-Miah (SNP) and Lynn Ballantyne Wardlaw (SNP) were looking forward to working as a team.

Lynn Ballantyne Wardlaw was "elated" and was looking forward to working around Calais Muir Woods, the new learning campus, the development of Abbeyview, "and, of course, potholes!"

Rosyth also saw two SNP councillors elected, Brian Goodall and Andy Jackson.

Some of their focusses are the new high school, and helping with accessibility for disabled people in the town.

In Lochgelly, Cardenden, and Benarty, the same four councillors were re-elected, meaning Mary Bain Lockhart (Scottish Labour Party), Linda Wilson Martin Erskine (Scottish Labour Party), Rosemary Liewald (SNP), and Lea McClelland (SNP) all kept their spots at the council.

They made history in 2017 as the ward was made the first to have all-female representatives.

Cllr Liewald spoke about a focus on eduction and support for mental health in the area.

Cowdenbeath councillor Darren Watt was relieved to be re-elected, after saying he had worked "tirelessly" for the area, the first thing on his agenda was rest, but after that he is hoping to connect with residents and spend quality time with his family, who he says have supported him throughout the busy campaign period.

Cowdenbeath Labour representative Alex Campbell was also "chuffed" to return to his position, he said:"It is key that you continue to advocate with the community, these are the people that count," he said, "chuffed to bits the community put their trust back in me as a councillor and proud and honoured to represent the ward."