A SWEEPING Labour victory in a Canvey by-election is a "vote of no confidence" in Castle Point Council, it was claimed today.

Labour candidate Mark Reilly won the Canvey North seat with 46 per cent of the vote.

He trounced the Tory opposition which limped home in third place behind the Canvey Independent candidate in the once Conservative stronghold.

Mr Reilly now holds a solitary seat for Labour in the borough, which is dominated by Conservatives.

In the wake of Thursday's by-election defeat, the borough's Tory MP has launched a blistering attack on the council.

Castle Point MP Bob Spink said: "We had an excellent candidate, but this was a vote of no confidence in the council.

"Conservatives should be winning seats, not losing them to Labour, but I am not at all surprised by the result. The public hold the local council in contempt.

"Conservatives must listen to the people and improve the service given and that means fighting against overdevelopment and for an additional access road.

"On this level of swing, Conservatives would lose every seat contested on Canvey in May next year."

Pam Challis, Conservative leader of Castle Point Council, said: "I am disappointed the Conservatives have lost that seat. I do not think that the local MP is that supportive either.

"The council is part way through an improvement agenda which has little outward signs at the moment."