Conservatives held a Kenton seat on Brent Council in a by-election.

Michael David Maurice was elected to the authority yesterday, polling a total of 1,097 votes - 258 more than his nearest rival, Labour’s Vincent Lo.

The by-election was called after Conservative councillor Bhiku Patel, who served Kenton for more than 12 years, died after a heart attack while on holiday in India in January.

A total of 2,140 people of 9,314 eligible to vote in the Kenton ward cast their votes, resulting in a turnout of 23 per cent. There were 12 spoiled ballots.

Christine Gilbert, returning officer for Brent Council, said: “Turnouts at council by-elections do tend to be lower than those at borough-wide or general elections and so I am pleased that 2,140 residents took the time to exercise their democratic right to vote.

“Thanks must go to everyone involved in the election for helping it run so smoothly, particularly those Brent Council staff who staffed the polling stations and those who were involved in the counting of the ballot papers.

“I’d also like to congratulate Michael David Maurice on his victory and look forward to working with him, in his new role as councillor for Kenton ward.”