THE Conservatives have retained a seat on Dartford council previously held by a shamed former leader of the authority.

The Heath ward by-election came about after Tory Kenneth Leadbeater had resigned from his seat in June after pleading guilty at Dartford Magistrates’ Court to 14 internet child porn charges.

He also resigned from the Conservative Party and is due to be sentenced later this year.

The successful Tory candidate, Andy Lloyd, said: “I am delighted. Our margin is bigger than we expected."

But the Conservatives suffered a sharply reduced majority and the far right British National Party gained a boost, getting the third highest tally of votes.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S DARTFORD MESSENGER