First UKIP councillor for Norfolk

The UK Independence Party has won its first seat on Norfolk County Council - where the Conservatives retained control with 60 of the 84 seats.

The Southtown and Nelson division in Great Yarmouth was won by Rex Parkinson-Hare who took a seat that had been Labour for more than 30 years.

The Tories made 13 gains, the Green Party won five seats, while Labour lost 19 councillors.

The Greens now have seven seats - the largest Green group on any county.

'Amazing gains'

Norwich Green Adrian Ramsay, who is the national deputy leader of the Green Party, said: "It's been a fantastic day.

"Two comfortable holds, five amazing gains taking us to seven Greens on Norfolk County Council, a record anywhere in the country.

"And it puts us in great shape, not only for the imminent by-election in Norwich North, but for the Norwich South seat when it comes to the next general election."

The new council is made up of 60 Conservatives, 13 Lib Dems, (unchanged from the last election) seven Greens, three Labour members and one UKIP.

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