THERE was just one vote in it as Swanscombe elected a new councillor yesterday.

Labour’s Steve Doran, 27, won by the narrowest of margins, pushing Swanscombe and Greenhithe Residents Association (SGRA) candidate Vic Openshaw into second place.

The careworker scored 274 votes to Mr Openshaw’s 273 with UKIP’s Stephen Wilders, independent candidate Richard Lees and Conservative Steven Jarnell finishing third, fourth and fifth.

Just 931 of 5313 eligible voters cast a ballot – a turnout of 17.56 per cent.

Ms Doran said: ""I am so very happy and proud to be elected the new borough councillor and I'd like to thank everyone in Swanscombe for the support I received.

"Over the last four weeks, I and the Labour team called on every house in Swanscombe and local people have told me their hopes, as well as their concerns for the area.

"I'm already working hard on the issues raised during the campaign and I'm looking forward to giving Swanscombe the voice it needs and deserves"

The election was called following the death of SGRA councillor Leslie Bobby on September 18.