NON-voters often suggest their single vote will not make a difference in an election.

But two Tendring Council seats were decided by a single vote each on Friday.

If one person had voted for Labour’s Dave McLeod instead of Conservative Barry Brown in Harwich East Central ward, it would have left the Tories and Ukip tied on Tendring Council – each with 22 seats.

If one person had have voted for Ukip’s Tony Colbourne instead of Conservative Tanya Ferguson in the Ramsey and Parkeston seat, it would have shifted the balance to Ukip – giving them 23 seats to the Tories 22.

The actual result has left the council with 22 Ukip councillors and 23 Conservatives.

Mr McLeod, who lost his seat with 389 votes, said: “That one vote was enough to swing it to the opposition.

“It’s a shame, I do feel disappointed."

Despite his loss, Mr McLeod regained his seat on Harwich Town Council.

Mr Colbourne, who stood for Ukip in Harwich West ward on Harwich Town Council, and for Ramsey and Parkeston on Tendring Council, lost out on both seats.

“We had two counts – the first time I was three votes behind and the second I was one short,” he said “It was one very, very important vote. But it’s just one of those things."