The Conservatives held onto the Ferndown Central seat on East Dorset District Council on Thursday with a narrower than expected by-election victory.

Immediate past Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Lesley Dedman, polled 510 votes to see off Independent challenger Jason Lawford with 477.

Turnout was 26 per cent.

The election was sparked by the resignation of Cllr Queenie Comfort who is this year's Mayor of Ferndown.

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