THE Lib Dems have retained their hold on the Nethermayne ward in Basildon.

Phillip Jenkins, 53, won Thursday's council by-election after polling 605 votes.

Labour's candidate David Kirkman came second with 461 votes, followed by Stephen Foster for the Tories with 372 votes.

Kerry Smith for UKIP polled 280 votes, while BNP candidate Irene Bateman got 70.

The only other candidate Jason Richardson, an Independent, got 18 votes Turn out for the by-election was poor, at just 20 per cent.

The seat was previously held by Liberal Democrat Ben Williams who stood down after 14 years to become special adviser to the Government’s deputy chief whip.