ESSEX County Council remains under the clear political control of the Conservatives after 52 of the total 75 seats were taken by the party's candidates following local elections on Thursday (6 May).

The political make-up of the council is as follows:

• Conservatives

52 seats

• Liberal Democrats

8 seats

• Labour

5 seats

• Independent

3 seats

• Green

1 seat

• Canvey Island Independent Party

2 seats

• Residents for Uttlesford

2 seats

• Rochford District Residents

1 seat

• Independent Loughton Residents Association

1 seat

In Maldon district, two of the three county council seats representing the area (Maldon and Heybridge & Tollesbury) were won by Conservative candidates - Jane Fleming and Mark Durham respectively- and the other (Southminster) went to Independent Wendy Stamp.

The first-choice results (voters have a first and second choice on this ballot paper) of the county-wide election for the Essex Police and Fire Commissioner (PFCC) are expected to be declared before midday today (Saturday, 8 May).