The number of residents that came out to vote in this year's election hit rock bottom, with the council recording the lowest turn-out in more than a decade.

Council figures have revealed that just 26.8 per cent of the borough voted in the last week, topping the previous ten-year low of 27 per cent in 2012.

All other years since 2010 have been around 30 per cent or more.

The voting slump comes in the same year that many have been left disillusioned by politics due to the Conservatives' failure to deliver Brexit.

Thurrock residents were major supporters of leaving the European Union and the vote saw 72.2 per cent voting to leave and a massive turnout of 72.7 per cent – topping all local elections and general elections since 2010.

Council leader Rob Gledhill admitted on Thursday night that he was almost always asked about Brexit and national politics first while on the campaign trail and had to get over that “hump” before discussing local politics.

Labour Councillor Victoria Holloway also said she had faced questions about Brexit but that it is “one of many issues” that were raised.