IT was more good news for UKIP at Worcestershire County Council today - as it held onto a vacant seat in a by-election.

Nigel Farage's men gained 2,017 votes in the Arrow Valley East by-election, with Peter Bridle elected to County Hall.

Labour's Phil Mould came second on 1,601, the Tories' Juliet Brunner finished third on 1,448 and Lib Dem Simon Oliver was fourth on 286.

The by-election was sparked by last month's shock resignation of Martin Jenkins, who quit after saying he was outraged by Nigel Farage's refusal to accept gay marriages.

In the count earlier today, Green candidate Emma Bradley was fifth on votes 241 and independent Isabel Armstrong sixth on 133.

The result means UKIP now has two councillors at the Tory-controlled county council, with Stuart Cross the other.

In Malvern, at the district council the Conservatives held the Lindridge ward after Chris Dell gained 437 votes, with UKIP second on 229 and Labour third with 128.

In Wychavon, the Tories also held the Fladbury district council seat in a by-election, with Bradley Thomas getting 456 votes, with Lib Dems in second on 319 and UKIP third with 234.

At Wyre Forest District Council UKIP won five seats for the first time ever.

The party took votes and seats from the Conservatives, Labour, the Liberals and Independent Community and Health Concern (ICHC).

It leaves the Tories on 15, Labour on nine, ICHC on seven, and six Liberals and independents.

Elsewhere around the country Labour gained 264 council seats and the Tories lost 187, with all but 20 councils fully declared by this evening.

The Liberal Democrats lost 257 seats and UKIP gained 147.

Labour gained Hammersmith and Fulham, Croydon and Amber Valley from the Conservatives, and the Conservatives have gained Kingston upon Thames from the Lib Dems.

Seven Conservative councils in the south of England have gone to no overall control, some following UKIP gains.