LABOUR saw off a strong challenge from the Conservatives to hold the Wivenhoe Quay seat following a by-election.

Rosalind Scott has succeeded colleague Steve Ford, who died following a battle with cancer in April, as the Colchester Council representative for Wivenhoe Quay ward.

She polled 857 votes in yesterday's by-election, defeating Conservative challenger Peter Hill by 228 votes.

The Ukip surge in Essex was not replicated in Wivenhoe, although candidate John Pitts came third with 129 votes, narrowly ahead of Lib Dem Shaun Boughton with 127 votes.

Green Party candidate Tim Glover came fifth with 90 votes, while Patriotic Socialist candidate Dave Osborn attracted just two supporters.

The hold brings the number of Labour councillors on Colchester Council to nine.

They form a coalition administration with 24 Lib Dem and four independent councillors.

The 23 Conservative councillors form the opposition.