LABOUR has held on to a parish council seat following a by-election to replace a disqualified councillor.

David Baker, of Watling Street, Dartford, has been elected to Stone Parish Council after former councillor for St John’s ward, Sydney Ahamefula, was removed for not attending council meetings for six months.

Father-of-one Councillor Baker received 163 votes, second placed Conservative candidate Gary Reynolds got 110 votes and Jim Read from the English Democrats came third with 75 votes.

The 70-year-old is already a Dartford borough councillor for Newtown.

Cllr Baker said: “I am very pleased to have been elected to the parish council.

“I see a natural link with my role as borough member for Newtown and as a member of the development control board I also aim to keep abreast of development affecting the parish.”

The election had an overall turn out of 19 per cent with a total of 350 votes.