THURROCK Council now has a father and son act with a Conservative gain in Belhus ward.

Following the retirement of Labour's Mike Flecther, it seemed probably that his party would retain the seat and Mark Hurrell appeared a strong local candidate.

However, political youngster George Coxshall, who is stepped in politics through his dad – cabinet member Mark Coxshall and Mark's partner, borough MP Jackie Doyle-Price stuck to his task and emerged with a 42 vote victory – prompting some of the loudest cheers and broadest smiles on a night of highs for the Tories.

The outcome capped a memorable few days for Cllr Cosxhall jnr, who only last week received his first class honours degree from York University.

Result

• George Coxshall (Conservative) 864
• Mark Hurrell (Labour) 822

Majority 42.

Electorate: 7,180. Ballot Papers Issued: 1,706 Turnout: 23.76%