A 19-year-old Conservative has become one of Kent's youngest councillors after winning an Ashford by-election.

Alex Howard, took the seat on Ashford Borough Council (ABC) for the Aylesford Green ward, beating Ukip candidate Harriet Yeo by just one vote.

Alex, who is Chairman of Ashford Conservative Future, received 110 votes from Willesborough residents.

The election drew a low turnout with just 19% of eligible voters heading to a polling station.

Ukip's Harriet Yeo, who defected from Labour earlier this year, received 109 votes, and Labour candidate Gordon Miller followed with 106.

Mr Howard was previously a student at Norton Knatcbull School and is now reading politics and international relations at Royal Holloway University in London, where he spends half his time.

He said he wants to bring energy and a fresh approach to the area.

Six candidates contested the seat in yesterday (Thursday)'s by-election, with hopefuls from the Lib Dems, Labour, The Green Party, Ashford Independents, Ukip and Conservative.

Aylesford Green was previously held by Labour and a by election was called when councillor Kate Hooker stood down for personal reasons.

The results