The Swale Independents have won a seat from the Conservatives in the Kent County Council by-election.

Jason Clinch, the victorious candidate in the Sittingbourne North division poll, narrowly beat Labour's Tony Winckless.

Tory Sarah Aldridge, who refused to comment, was third, as she failed to defend the seat, vacated by the retirement of Sue Gent due to ill health.

Cllr Clinch, who was at work so missed this morning's count at The Swallows leisure centre in Sittingbourne, finished with 1,496 votes, Mr Winckless received 1,341, Mrs Aldridge 1,064 and Alexander Stennings for the Lib Dems, 284.

The turnout was just 26.6%.

Swale Independents leader Mike Baldock said: "I'm absolutely delighted. We didn't expect it. It means that we've got someone on KCC who can raise our concerns on issues such as health and transport.

"Until now we have had to rely on the Conservatives but now we have got someone who can go to KCC officers and try to raise awareness of the issues affecting us.

"Jason is really hard-working and passionate about Sittingbourne.

"He joined us because he got fed up with the same old problems year after year after year."