HOLLAND Residents' Association candidate Colin Sargeant has been elected to Essex County Council following a by-election in Clacton.

The Clacton East by-election was triggered when sitting Tendring First councillor Pierre Oxley was given a suspended jail sentence for fraud.

Colin Sargeant, of Holland-on-Sea Residents’ Association, won the contest with 1,781 votes.

Ukip’s Ben Smith came in second with 961 votes and Conservative Richard Bleach picked up 628.

Labour’s Christopher Bird came fourth with 387 votes and Lib Dem Rain Welham-Cobb came last with 49.

Mr Sargeant said: "I would like to thank the community for turning out to vote and especially those who voted for me.

"Because I was a Holland Residents' Association candidate, in particular I value the votes of the people of Great Clacton and east Clacton.

"I will be working hard for residents in those areas straight away.

"It's early days but I will be holding surgeries in each of the three areas."

Mr Sargeant, who has campaigned against large numbers of houses being included in Tendring's Local Plan, added: "I want to help protect the paradise we live in."

The count took place at Clacton Town Hall on Friday morning after voters went to the polls on Thursday.

Result

Colin Sargeant (HRA) - 1,781*

Ben Smith (UKIP) - 961

Richard Bleach (Con) - 628

Christopher Bird (Lab) -  387

Rain Welham-Cobb (Lib Dem) - 49

Turnout: 29.3%

HRA Gain