UKIP has held a seat in a by-election in Thanet by 14 votes.

The by-election in Newington was held on Thursday and saw UKIP candidate Roy Potts elected with 295 votes.

Labour candidate David Green polled 281 votes, Conservative candidate Adam Dark 125 votes and Liberal Democrat Matthew Brown 33 votes.

Turnout was 20%.

UKIP will be pleased at the outcome after being hit by a wave of defections and losing overall control of the council earlier in the year.However, the result is a disappointment for Labour. It fielded a former Labour cabinet member to contest the ward.

The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Mo Leys.

It follows a by-election in the two member ward in January which saw Labour win.

That by-election was caused by the resignation of former councillor Vince Munday, who has moved to Thailand.