Maidstone Borough Council is still with no overall control as the Conservatives lose two seats in this year's borough election.

After four re-counts, there was just one vote in it for Coxheath and Hunton ward, with 23-year-old Emily Fermor (Lib Dem) stealing the seat from the Conservatives.

It was being contested by Ron Leagas, who was appointed following previous councillor John Wilson's decision to not stand for re-election.

Conservative Stephen Paine also lost his Fant seat to Labour candidate Keith Adkinson.

Results were counted at the Kent Event Centre, off Detling Hill, Maidstone, this morning, with the first announced shortly after 10.30am.

There were 95 candidates contesting the 19 seats available. The Conservatives, Green Party and Liberal Democrats put candidates forward for all seats, while Labour contested all but two.

UKIP fought 14 wards and there were five Independents and two English Democrats.

The Lib Dems gained two seats and now have 22 councillors representing the borough, while UKIP gaining one seat bringing its total to three.

Live: Results as they're announced

[Live Grid - MAIDELECT]

Labour held its two seats. The leader of the council will be elected at the council's AGM on May 21.

Before the election, the Conservatives hold 25 of the 55 seats on the council, with Lib Dems on 20, Independents on 6, UKIP on 2 and Labour on 2.

Of the 19 seats up for election, nine are currently held by the Conservatives, six by the Lib Dems, three by Independents and one by Labour.

Quite a few long-established councillors, including several past mayors, have decided not to seek re-election.

They include Daphne Parvin (Con) with 32 years’ service; Richard Ash (Con) with 24 years; Jenni Paterson (Lib Dem) with 21 years, and Richard Thick (Con) with 18 years.

Also not seeking re-election are Ian Chittenden (Lib Dem) with nine years; John Wilson (Con) eight years; James Ross (Con) eight years; Belinda Watson (Lib Dem) four years; and Malcolm McKay, the leader of the Labour party, with four years.