THE BNP has held on to its seat in the Loughton Alderton ward on Epping Forest District Council after a by-election success last night (Thursday).

Tony Frankland was elected to the district council with 393 votes 26 ahead of the Loughton Residents Association.

Mr Frankland said: "I'm very happy. I'm now looking forward to representing all people in the ward. I won't turn anyone away."

BNP Epping Forest organiser Danny Warville told the Guardian: "We are here to stay and we are going to get bigger and better. We are going to take control of Epping Forest Council."

LRA candidate Rosemary Brookes, who also finished second to the BNP in the last Alderton ward election, said: "We are obviously very disappointed to be second again, but I'd like to thank all of those people who voted for me. It emphasises that there is only one party that can beat the BNP in Loughton, and we will be back next year."

The Alderton ward was one of the first seats to be won by the BNP in 2004 when Terry Farr was elected with a 67 vote majority.

Mr Farr stepped down from his role as councillor earlier this year to concentrate on his business.

FULL RESULTS Stephen Barnes (Labour) 98 Rose Brookes (Independent Loughton Residents Association) 367 Tony Frankland (BNP) 393 Andrew Smith (UKIP) 28 Edward Stacey (Conservative) 163 Neil Woolcott (Lib Dem) 172 Turnout 36.72 per cent