The Conservatives have won Thursday’s by-election in the Thrapston Market ward on East Northamptonshire Council.
The election was called following the resignation of the sitting Tory, Michael Finch.
Conservative candidate Alex Smith picked up 396 votes, or 43 per cent.
Independent Val Carter, a former mayor of Thrapston, finished second with 210 votes (23 per cent), Labour’s Alex Izycky came third with 166 votes (18 per cent) while Joe Garner, representing UKIP, finished fourth after securing 146 votes (16 per cent).
Turnout was 30.05 per cent.
In a tweet posted after the result was announced, Cllr Smith described the result as a “successful outcome to a great campaign”.
It means the current party make-up on East Northants Council remains at 35 Conservatives, three independents and two Labour members.