Phil Rostance became the only non-Ashfield Independent candidate to win a seat in Hucknall in yesterday's District Council elections.

The Conservative Councillor was victorious in the Hucknall West ward, a seat he has held since 2015.

However, he was made to sweat as a full recount was called before the final results revealed he had beaten his Dad and fellow Conservative candidate Kevin Rostance by four votes, and fifth placed Paul Craddock of the Ashfield Independents, by 18 votes.

His win prevented the Ashfield Independents from taking a clean sweep of seats in Hucknall and means that the Conservatives will be the main opposition as they have two seats following Dawn Justice's win in Underwood where she defeated ex-cabinet member David Martin by 37 votes.

Speaking to Hucknall Nub News in the immediate aftermath of his victory, Councillor Rostance's pleasure at being re-elected was tinged with disappointment at the lack of other Conservative representatives voted onto the council.

He said of his success: "It's Incredibly humbling that the people of Hucknall West have voted me back in again after losing my seat in 2021 for the County's but obviously it's going to be quite a lonely place. This is the first time I've been elected to the Ashfield District Council without my Dad, Kev, so he's missed out, it's really quite sad actually not being able to go through this together it's always been our journey together.

"Hats off to Jan Lees as well who stood with us in Hucknall West, she's put a lot of effort in, and I know she's a real community champion so it's such a shame that she didn't get elected as well. For me personally (I'm) really excited to start working again for the people of Hucknall West, start pushing on their priorities and although we're not the main party, although there's only one of me, I'll have a loud voice in Ashfield District Council to try and do the best for all the residents of Hucknall West."