THE CONSERVATIVES have held on to their council seat following a by-election in Central Wight — but with the amount of votes cast for the Tories slashed by just under half.

Steve Hastings won the seat with 547 votes.

The turnout was 38.61 per cent and the number of ballot papers issued was 1,102 out of a total electorate of 2,854.

The by-election was called following the resignation of Bob Seely after he was elected as the Island's MP. During the previous election, Mr Seely won with 1,026 votes.

Cllr Hastings had previously stood as the Conservative candidate for Newport Central at last year's council election.

Isle of Wight Green Party spokeswoman, Vix Lowthion, said: "Central Wight was the safest Conservative seat on the whole Isle of Wight Council — no longer. Last night saw their vote almost halve.

"Island Conservatives must surely be asking themselves why they have lost the confidence of so many Island residents.

"Isle of Wight Greens continue to work hard as a team across the whole Island - and we look forward to gaining more councillors in the main County Elections in 2021."

The full results are:

• Steve Hastings (Conservatives) - 547 (elected)

• Nick Stuart (Liberal Democrats) - 286

• Daniel James (Green Party) - 143

• Simon Haytack (Labour) - 101

• Terry Brennen (UKIP) - 24 votes