TORIES have retained control of Castle Point Council after holding off a strong challenge from the independents.

The Tories remain the leading party on the authority after keeping their overall majority of eight seats.

The only Labour councillor on the council, Brian Wilson, lost his St Mary's seat in Benfleet to the Tories.

The Tories lost just one seat in Canvey West ward.

Relieved Pam Challis, leader of the Conservative group, said “We are delighted with the result. This has been the hardest fought election since I became a councillor in 1999.”

It was also a great night for the Canvey Island Independent party, who increased their number of seats after winning Canvey West from the Tories.

Delighted leader Dave Blackwell said: “It shows that support for us is still on Canvey even thought there was a massive turnout for the General Election we held our majorities and actually increased some of them.”