THE Conservatives have retained a seat on Tendring Council following a by-election.

The seat for the Manningtree, Mistley, Little Bentley and Tendring Ward was left vacant following the death of long serving councillor Sarah Candy.

Alan Coley won the election and will take up the seat after collecting 376 votes.

Liberal Democrat candidate Rosemary Smith came second with 159 votes, while UKIP candidate Mark Cole was third with 154 votes. Labour candidate Jo Richardson was fourth with 129 votes.

The turnout for the election was 22.8 per cent.