THE biggest margin of victory of the evening came in Orsett where sitting Conservative Diane Revell, who has just completed her year as Mayor, emerged 683 votes ahead of her Labour rival Angela Gaywood.

BNP candidate Derek Beackon, who courted national publicity when he became the far right party's first councillor in Tower Hamlets in 1993, trailed in third.

Councillor Revell said: "I'd just like to say thank you to all those wonderful supporters who came out to vote for me."

Labour candidate Angela Gaywood said: "It's unfortunate that the Conservatives remain in the seat when they have done very little to retain it."

Result:

Diane Revell (Con) 1,103

Angela Gaywood (Lab) 420

Derek Beackon (BNP)330

Maj 683

Con hold

Turnout 1,856