Two new councillors have been elected following a double by-election in Gravesham.

David Hughes, returning officer delivered the results this morning confirming Jenny Wallace (Labour) had won the Pelham Ward seat and Diane Marsh (Conservative) had won the Kent County Council election for the Gravesham East Division.

Gravesham Labour councillors called for an immediate election last month following the death of Jane Cribbon, who died after a battle with stomach cancer on Friday, June 10.

Turnout overall was at an all-time low with just 16.38% for Gravesham East and 19.83% for the Pelham Ward by-election.

Cllr Wallace (Labour) who was elected to fill the seat for Pelham Ward gained 494 votes with Conrad Broadley (Conservative) coming in second on 325.

Labour councillors from across the county paid a visit to the Woodville at Gravesham Civic Centre to support her during the count.

She said: “I am delighted, and I am very grateful to all of the team who have worked very hard because I am in a sling at the moment following on from a shoulder replacement so I am very fortunate of all the people who have been around me fighting the campaign.

“There are a number of local issues, car parking, there are environmental issues, we need to look at the housing shortage that there is but parking is of prime importance. The two sitting councillors, Cllr Brian Sangha and Cllr Makhan Singh who have done sterling work and have got a number of extra car parking places for residents and there is work starting. We are going to be campaigning about that.

“Interacting with the local community is so important, they voted for me and their needs are of paramount importance. We need to listen to the people and find solutions for them.”

“I am thrilled but the turnout was incredibly low, it was called during a very busy season for most people because it’s holiday time" - Cllr Marsh

Gary Harding (Ukip), Marna Gilligan (Green) and Sharan Virk (Lib Dems) also stood in the by-election for the Pelham Ward seat.

Diana Marsh won the KCC by-election by more than 200 votes, receiving 1,758. Second was Lyn Milner (Labour) with 1,538. Tina Brooker (Ukip) also gained a large number of votes coming in third at 1,272 and Mark Marsh (Liberal Democrats) received 110 votes.

The newly elected Conservative councillor said: "We’ve won convincingly and I’m looking forward to working with the people of Gravesham East.

“I am very interested in learning more about the NHS within KCC and how it works and basically to look after what the people need such as allocations to schools.

"I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to those who voted for me during the election; my new role is to represent the residents in Gravesham East at County Hall and I will try my best to serve you well."

Both parties after signing their declaration to their newest roles, headed to the pub to celebrate with a pint.