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There was drama at the local election count in Southend-on-Sea, where the result of one of its wards came down to the legitimacy of a single vote.

After a recount, the Thorpe ward was declared a dead heat - but a single ballot paper which had been declared spoilt by the returning officer was then challenged.

Martin Terry, who eventually won the seat, tells ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Essex how the heated discussions - which took place in the early hours of the morning - led to the matter being referred to the Electoral Commission.