AN INDEPENDENT candidate has secured his way onto Chelmsford Council after winning a by-election by just six votes.

Ian Roberts from the South Woodham Ferrers Independent party beat his Conservative counterpart Linda Denston in the vote for South Woodham, Elmwood and Woodville ward.

The seat had been vacated by Maureen Moulds, a Tory, in October.

RESULT:

Derek Barnett (Lab) - 65

Linda Denston (Con) - 275

Jeni Goldfinch (Lib Dem) - 24

Ian Nicholls (UKIP) - 249

Ian Roberts (SWF Ind) - 281

Turnout - 13.9 per cent