The Conservative Party clung on to control of Essex County Council but with a substantially reduced majority.
The ruling party now has 42 seats - down on the 60 it gained at the last election in 2009. It gained just one - Great Baddow, from the Liberal Democrats but lost 18.
It was a good night for UKIP, with the party winning its first ever seats in Essex, with nine councillors newly anointed in the council chamber, the last of which was declared in Tendring Rural East shortly before 3.40am after three recounts.
Candidate Kerry Smith notably edged out the Tories in Basildon by just 50 votes. TAKE A LOOK BACK AT OUR REPORTERS' LIVE COVERAGE OF ELECTION NIGHT HERE.
The Greens also enjoyed a successful night, winning two seats in Rochford West and Witham Northern.
And the Labour Party staged something of a fightback, adding seven seats to their existing two, to now occupy the same number of seats as the Liberal Democrats.ELECTION 2013 FINAL SEAT TALLYConservatives: 41 seats (gained one, lost 19, retained 40)Labour: Nine seats (gained seven, lost none, held two)Liberal Democrats: Nine seats (gained none, lost two, held nine)UKIP: Nine seats (gained nine, lost none, retained none)Green Party: Two seats (gained two, lost none, retained none)Canvey Island Independents: One seat (held)Independent: One seat (gained)Residents Association: One seat (held)Tendring First: One seat (gained)
