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Cotswold District Council has defended its controversial decision to accept a ballot paper where a voter wrote 'Brexit' with an arrow pointing to the Conservative candidate in last night's local election.

The knife-edge call meant Conservative candidate Stephen Hirst, fighting for the Tetbury Town ward, won by a single vote, beating Independent candidate Kevin Painter.

The returning officer, who is responsible for overseeing elections, said the decision was made in line with guidance from the Electoral Commission.

Independent candidate Mr Painter, who was not present at the count in the early hours of this morning, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he will take official action to take his case for a re-count to court.

The result was the final count to be declared after the Liberal Democrats seized control of the district council after 16 years of Conservative rule - with a majority of one.

poll loading Should the council have accepted the 'Brexit' ballot paper as a vote? 1000+ VOTES SO FAR Yes No

'ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE'

Mr Painter said he has received advice from the Electoral Commission and will submit an electoral petition which would call for a re-count, and has to be permitted through the courts.

Speaking on the result, he said: "It is absolutely unbelievable. It is more Blackadder than anything else. The rules are quite simply you have to put a cross in the box. I am absolutely stunned by the response.

"The rules now make me doubt the integrity of our elections."

THE FINAL RESULT FOR TETBURY TOWN

Conservative: 232

Independent: 231

Liberal Democrat: 112

The returning officer, who made the call, said: "Prior to the final adjudication on the doubtful papers, the number of votes for the Conservative candidate and the independent candidate were level.

"However, when adjudicating on those ‘doubtful’ papers, the Returning Officer awarded one additional vote to the Conservative candidate, having regard to the guidance contained in the Electoral Commission’s booklet on doubtful papers and examples within election law books."