The Conservatives had controlled the council since 2003 but lost ten seats.

The returning officer reportedly decided the seat by allocating a doubtful ballot paper that had the word "BREXIT" written across it with an arrow pointing to the Conservative candidate, Stephen Hirst, in favour of Hirst.

The hitherto tied candidate, Independent David Painter, described it as a "travesty of justice" and said "no wonder people are turned off voting".

Painter sought to raise £2,500 to begin a legal challenge against the returning officer's decision.

[1] The council maintained that the returning officer's decision was in line with guidance from the Electoral Commission.