Purple reign over Lancing as UKIP take control of parish

The party won 10 seats after votes were counted today, compared to the Conservatives’ four and Labour’s two.

The Tories had previously controlled eight seats, to UKIP’s five.

The Liberal Democrats were wiped out, losing all three of their councillors.

East Worthing and Shoreham UKIP branch chairman Mike Glennon said: “We have now take control and it will be refreshing to have different hands at the helm in Lancing.

“We have got a lot of thinking to do, a lot of planning, we are gloriously delighted with these results which bode well for future successes for UKIP regionally and nationally.”

Conservative James Butcher, who was chairman of the council up until the election, congratulated UKIP on its victory.

He retained his seat, despite Conservative losses elsewhere.

He said: “Huge congratulations to UKIP. It is an honour to govern Lancing and I wish them the very best.”

The result, announced at Worthing Assembly Hall this afternoon, sealed a successful day across the board for UKIP, with two gains from the Tories in the Adur District Council elections.

Labour previously had no parish councillors – and also gained two seats in the district elections.

Click here for full results in both district and parish elections.

See how the count unfolded in our live blog, featuring results of the police and crime commissioner election, here.