A BY-ELECTION for a ward in Clacton held following the death of a long-serving district councillor has been won by the Conservatives.

The St James ward seat has been left vacant following the death of Tory councillor Gill Downing in July.

The 87-year-old, who was also a former chairman of the Clacton Conservative Association, had represented the ward for 14 years.

Conservative candidate Andy Wood won the Tendring Council seat with a majority of 310.

He gained 445 votes, beating UKIP candidate Susan Shearing who received 196 votes.

Labour candidate David Bolton was third with 135 votes, followed by Tendring First’s Mark Stephenson with 82 votes and Lib Dem candidate Amanda-Jane Peters who gained just 35 votes.

The turnout at the election, which took place on Thursday, was 26.16 per cent.

BY-ELECTION RESULT
Andy Wood (Con) 445*
Sue Shearing (UKIP) 196
David Bolton (Lab) 135
Mark Stephenson (Tendring First) 82
Amanda-Jane Peters (Lib Dem) 35
Majority: 310
Turnout: 26.16 per cent