A CONSERVATIVE councillor has won a comfortable victory in the battle for the Saffron Walden seat in the Essex County Council elections. Cllr Robert Chambers, who has held the seat for 12 years, said he was delighted with the result and was looking forw

A CONSERVATIVE councillor has won a comfortable victory in the battle for the Saffron Walden seat in the Essex County Council elections.

Cllr Robert Chambers, who has held the seat for 12 years, said he was "delighted" with the result and was looking forward to serving the town for a fourth consecutive term.

The count for the Essex County Council elections was held at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden and the result was announced by the returning officer, chief executive of Uttlesford District Council John Mitchell, this afternoon.

In a 42.38 per cent turnout at the polling stations yesterday (Thursday), Cllr Chambers claimed 3287 votes. His nearest rival, Liberal Democrat Richard Freeman, took 1506 votes.

Trilby Roberts for the Green Party took 891, Labour's Yvonne Morton won 483 and British National Party candidate Susan Clapp won 332 votes.

Cllr Chamber's victory completed a clean sweep for the Conservatives in Uttlesford with all of the councillors retaining their seats on the county council.

In Stansted Ray Gooding held on to his seat with 2748 votes, beating off competition from Liberal Democrat Alan Dean who won 2651 votes.

In Dunmow Susan Barker claimed a comfortable victory (3780 votes) and will serve for her fourth term, and Simon Walsh comfortably hung on to the Thaxted seat with 3106 votes.

Although some results have yet to come in, the Conservatives appear to have kept control of Essex County Council.

The Reporter website will be updated shortly with reaction from all the winners and pictures from the dramatic day.

DUNMOW

Susan Barker (Con) 3780 - ELECTED

Alan Ralph Thawley (Lib Dem) 906

Simon Anthony Whittle (Green) 632

Lynne Patricia Turpin (BNP) 500

Bill McCarthy (Lab) 390

Turnout: 38.32 per cent (6228)

SAFFRON WALDEN

Robert Pursey Chambers (Con) 3287 - ELECTED

Richard Ford Freeman (Lib Dem) 1506

Trilby Fiona Roberts (Green) 891

Yvonne Lily Morton (Lab) 483

Susan Irene Clapp (BNP) 332

Turnout: 42.38 per cent (6540)

STANSTED

Ray Gooding (Con) 2748 - ELECTED

Alan Dean (Lib Dem) 2651

Karmel Stannard (Green) 421

George Anthony Martin (BNP) 288

Barbara Ann Light (Lab) 198

Turnout: 46.67 per cent (6326)

THAXTED

Simon Michael Walsh (Con) 3106 - ELECTED

Ron Clover (Lib Dem) 968

Peter Gervase Francis Vernon 644

Gloria Meredew (Eng Dem) 335

Edward John Long (BNP) 263

Yad Sardar Zewar Zanganah (Lab) 230

Turnout: 41.32 per cent (5572)