LABOUR councillor Yash Gupta polled the single largest vote of any of his party members in crushing the opposition in Grays Thurrock ward.

He said: ""I just want to say a very heartily thank you to all those voters who have voted for me.

"I must thank my colleagues in the Labour party who have helped me.

"I will work very hard for the people of Thurrock to make sure our community works very closely and happily for the benefit of everybody."

Result:

Yash Gupta (Lab) 1,011

Leo Milan-Vega (Con)555

Ricky-Lee Strickson (BNP) 445

William Jackson (Lib Dem) 128

Maj 456

Lab hold

Turnout 34%